In a display cabinet on the upper level of the MCG rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His performance in front of a hundred thousand attendees was hailed as a major hit.
Perhaps you don't appreciate his music. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music in history. You might take a middle ground, conceding that some hits are excellent while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no one way to create music or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the playing surface.
If the format is art, the wicket is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in an unusual manner.
This is not a justification of the surface which resulted in a victory and the another short match of the series.
Having a thick layer on the wicket, resulting in a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and ongoing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are particularly captivating because of the investment devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Some factors are embraced more freely than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the best players were unable from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class players. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the stadium, countless fans made noise and sang their songs, generating a party atmosphere in a stronghold of sport.
There was belief as the attack excelled, momentum when batters responded, and pure joy when the result was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a non-event.
That match was a marathon, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – one is not more ideal, yet historical weight can be ascribed to each.
At this stage into the current series, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the death of the long game at all," said a veteran. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The team delivered for him, reinstating the joy to his countenance.
Different players performed with key contributions. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to ensure long-term stability, but a foundation to use as a platform.
In the end, this Melbourne victory is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players congregated on the outfield to start their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, boys. You've earned this one.
