In a glass case on the upper level of the MCG sits a vibrant pink ensemble donned by the entertainer. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was seen as a success.
It's possible you appreciate his music. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a balanced view, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are terrible.
The central idea is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to produce literature or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon external factors.
The climate, the session, the ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the pitch.
If the format is a form of art, the strip is the canvas on which the players create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the pitch which resulted in a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, causing 36 wickets tumbling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and still growing. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Other times, it grips and turns on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the time committed elsewhere.
Adaptation: The True Test
Specific conditions are accepted more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by acknowledged stars. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Try telling the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and created an atmosphere, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of sport.
There was optimism as the attack surged, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the result was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has form with controversial surfaces. Previously, a Test there featured a pitch with all the life of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a grind, with limited drama and endless boredom. This recent match and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the spectrum – one is not more perfect, yet significance can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the history books.
"Far from being the demise of Test cricket at all," said a veteran. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these two days have been experienced some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the leader talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The squad responded for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
New faces stepped up with vital performances. These are baby steps, hardly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.
At the very least, this MCG win is added to other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans left into a stunning sunset, the team gathered on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
