Displayed inside a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a neon pink suit worn by the pop star. The show in front of 100,024 spectators was seen as a triumph.
It's possible you appreciate his music. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, conceding that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that amusement can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to create art or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by the environment.
The elements, the time of day, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the pitch.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the cricketers create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the established format broken apart and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a justification of the wicket which produced a victory and the second two-day Test of the series.
Leaving a thick layer on the surface, causing numerous dismissals falling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are even more exciting because of the investment committed during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Some factors are accepted more freely than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the contest was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
The format is about problem solving – assessing the conditions and adapting appropriately. The two highest individual scores were made by acknowledged players. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the ground, countless fans made noise and created an atmosphere, generating a party atmosphere in a bastion of sport.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, momentum when batters fought back, and unconditional love when the win was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a a non-event.
That contest was a marathon, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that previous match are polar opposites of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet significance can be found in both.
Four Tests into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the history books.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," commented a veteran. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The team protected him, bringing back the smile to his persona.
Different players performed with key contributions. These are small positives, not nearly enough to secure long-term stability, but something to use as a platform.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team assembled on the outfield to begin their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
