In a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a vibrant pink suit worn by the pop star. The concert in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a major hit.
You might not appreciate his music. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. You might take a middle ground, conceding that some songs are belting while others are terrible.
The key argument is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to create art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by external factors.
The elements, the hour of play, the red ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the wicket.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the foundation on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and reassembled in an unusual manner.
This is not a endorsement of the surface which resulted in a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Leaving excessive grass on the wicket, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The format is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and ongoing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. Other times, it turns square on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting because of the patience devoted during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Some factors are accepted more easily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and adjusting appropriately. The two highest individual contributions were made by world-class stars. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the stadium, thousands waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, impetus when players responded, and rapturous celebration when the victory was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a match there featured a pitch with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a marathon, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – neither perfect, yet value can be attached to each.
Four Tests into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the demise of the long game at all," said a veteran. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these short time have been experienced some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The players protected him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to secure long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
Ultimately, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters departed into a beautiful night, the players congregated on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, boys. You've earned this one.
