In a showcase on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His concert in front of 100,024 spectators was considered a major hit.
You might not enjoy his music. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music in history. Or you could adopt a balanced view, conceding that some hits are excellent while others are terrible.
The key argument is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft music or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon external factors.
The weather, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the great game dismantled and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which produced a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, resulting in 36 wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and counting. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating owing to the time committed elsewhere.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are tolerated more easily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the best players were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about adapting to challenges – assessing the wicket and responding accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by recognized stars. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Try telling the fans who have endured a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the MCG, thousands made noise and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the fielding side dominated, impetus when batters fought back, and pure joy when the victory was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a game there featured a strip with the character of a a non-event.
That fixture was a slog, with few wickets and slow play. This recent match and that slow Test are polar opposites of the range – neither perfect, yet value can be attached to both.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the memory.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," observed a former player. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this match, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The team delivered for him, restoring the smile to his face.
Emerging talents delivered with key contributions. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term success, but a foundation to build on.
Ultimately, this triumph joins other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the players congregated on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, men. You've earned this one.
