In a showcase on the elevated floor of the MCG rests a vibrant pink suit performed in by the pop star. The show in front of 100,024 fans was considered a success.
You might not enjoy the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, conceding that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft literature or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the list is endless. Above all is the pitch.
If the format is art, the wicket is the foundation on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the established format broken apart and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which yielded a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the surface, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and ongoing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. Other times, it turns square on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The close matches are particularly captivating due to the time made elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are tolerated more readily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the top batters were hindered from playing their natural game.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – reading the wicket and adapting appropriately. The top two individual scores were made by world-class players. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a bastion of sport.
There was optimism as the attack surged, momentum when the top order scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with difficult wickets. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a a non-event.
That fixture was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that slow Test are polar opposites of the spectrum – both are not the standard, yet value can be found in each.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"It's not the end of the format at all," commented a former player. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The team delivered for him, reinstating the smile to his countenance.
Emerging talents delivered with vital performances. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
At the very least, this MCG win is added to other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters slipped away into a stunning sunset, the squad gathered on the field to commence their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, lads. This victory was hard-fought.
