Within a glass case on the elevated floor of the MCG sits a neon pink suit performed in by the pop star. His concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was seen as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't like his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music in history. You might take a balanced view, admitting that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The key argument is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to craft music or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on the environment.
The weather, the session, the ball – the list is endless. Above all is the pitch.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the blank slate on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which produced a win and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is incorrect.
The long game is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and still growing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Other times, it turns square on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling due to the time committed during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Specific conditions are accepted more easily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the contest was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the conditions and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized batters. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the MCG, thousands celebrated and created an atmosphere, generating a carnival vibe in a bastion of national pride.
There was optimism as the bowlers surged, momentum when players responded, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has form with controversial surfaces. Previously, a Test there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.
That fixture was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet historical weight can be attached to both.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the death of the long game at all," said a past champion. "Fans who have been privileged to see these short time have been given some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this match, the captain talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The squad protected him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his persona.
Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are baby steps, hardly enough to ensure long-term futures, but a starting point to develop from.
In the end, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team assembled on the field to commence their own celebrations.
Celebrate the win, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
