In a display cabinet on the upper level of the MCG sits a vibrant pink outfit worn by the entertainer. His concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a success.
Perhaps you don't like his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. You might take a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is not a single method to produce literature or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the red ball – the list is endless. Most important is the playing surface.
If the long game is art, the pitch is the foundation on which the cricketers create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and stuck back together in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the wicket which produced a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the pitch, causing 36 wickets tumbling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and still growing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball does all sorts for the fast men. In contrast, it spins sharply on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The close matches are even more exciting owing to the time committed elsewhere.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are embraced more freely than others.
The debate in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were unable from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about adapting to challenges – assessing the situation and responding accordingly. The top two individual contributions were made by recognized players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the devotees who have suffered a long drought that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the ground, thousands waved their flags and created an atmosphere, producing a carnival vibe in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the fielding side surged, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has a history with difficult wickets. Previously, a game there featured a strip with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that slow Test are polar opposites of the spectrum – one is not more ideal, yet significance can be ascribed to them.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the history books.
"This isn't the end of the long game at all," observed a former player. "The people who have been privileged to see these short time have been treated to some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The players responded for him, reinstating the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents delivered with crucial roles. These are baby steps, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but a starting point to use as a platform.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a beautiful night, the squad gathered on the turf to start their own festivities.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
