In a glass case on the elevated floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a neon pink suit worn by the pop star. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a major hit.
It's possible you like the performer. Maybe you feel he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are terrible.
The point being is that enjoyment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to produce literature or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.
The elements, the time of day, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the playing surface.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the foundation on which the cricketers create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
This is not a defence of the surface which produced a win and the another short match of the contest.
Having a thick layer on the wicket, resulting in 36 wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and still growing. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the fast men. Other times, it turns square on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting due to the investment devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are accepted more readily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and responding accordingly. The best individual contributions were made by acknowledged players. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the stadium, a sea of people celebrated and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was hope as the fielding side excelled, momentum when batters fought back, and pure joy when the win was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a pitch with the character of a a non-event.
That fixture was a marathon, with few wickets and interminable tedium. This recent match and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the range – one is not more the standard, yet historical weight can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been given some fantastic sport. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this match, the skipper talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The team delivered for him, restoring the joy to his persona.
Different players delivered with key contributions. These are small positives, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term stability, but something to build on.
In the end, this MCG win takes its place among other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team congregated on the outfield to start their own festivities.
Savour the moment, boys. You've earned this one.
