Displayed inside a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a neon pink ensemble worn by the pop star. The show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a triumph.
You might not appreciate the performer. You might think he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, admitting that some tracks are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to produce music or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the session, the red ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the canvas on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport dismantled and reassembled in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which yielded a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the surface, causing a cascade of wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and counting. At times, as seen at the MCG, the ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are all the more thrilling because of the investment committed during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Some factors are tolerated more easily than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the contest was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were hindered from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the situation and adapting accordingly. The top two individual contributions were made by acknowledged stars. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the fans who have experienced a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the stadium, thousands made noise and chanted, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side excelled, momentum when players fought back, and pure joy when the victory was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has a history with controversial surfaces. In the past, a match there featured a wicket with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a marathon, with few wickets and slow play. This recent match and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – neither perfect, yet significance can be ascribed to them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been treated to some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players responded for him, restoring the smile to his face.
New faces stepped up with crucial roles. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to secure long-term stability, but a foundation to use as a platform.
In the end, this triumph takes its place among other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters left into a stunning sunset, the team assembled on the outfield to start their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. This victory was hard-fought.
