Displayed inside a glass case on the elevated floor of the MCG sits a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. The performance in front of a massive crowd of fans was seen as a success.
You might not like the performer. You might think he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, conceding that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to produce art or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by the environment.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the foundation on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport taken to pieces and stuck back together in abstract form.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the surface which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Allowing excessive grass on the pitch, resulting in a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as inauthentic, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are particularly captivating owing to the time committed elsewhere.
Adaptation: The True Test
Certain variables are tolerated more freely than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and responding effectively. The top two individual contributions were made by world-class stars. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the supporters who have experienced a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the ground, a sea of people waved their flags and chanted, producing a party atmosphere in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the result was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has form with pitch problems. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a marathon, with few wickets and endless boredom. This recent match and that previous match are polar opposites of the range – one is not more perfect, yet historical weight can be found in each.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the demise of the format at all," said a former player. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been experienced some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The team responded for him, bringing back the smile to his persona.
Emerging talents stepped up with crucial roles. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to ensure long-term futures, but something to develop from.
In the end, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters slipped away into a stunning sunset, the squad congregated on the field to begin their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, men. You've earned this one.
