Displayed inside a glass case on the third floor of the MCG is housed a electric pink suit worn by the entertainer. The concert in front of a massive crowd of spectators was hailed as a major hit.
Perhaps you don't like the performer. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, admitting that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to create art or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon conditions.
The weather, the session, the red ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the canvas on which the cricketers create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reconstructed in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which produced a triumph and the another short match of the contest.
Having a thick layer on the wicket, resulting in 36 wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and ongoing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating owing to the investment devoted in other matches.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are tolerated more easily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the best players were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about finding solutions – assessing the wicket and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized stars. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the supporters who have suffered years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the stadium, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a bastion of sport.
There was belief as the attack surged, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the victory was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with controversial surfaces. In the past, a match there featured a pitch with the character of a a damp squib.
That contest was a marathon, with limited drama and endless boredom. This recent match and that previous match are polar opposites of the range – neither ideal, yet value can be attached to them.
At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the death of the long game at all," observed a former player. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the skipper talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The squad delivered for him, bringing back the smile to his countenance.
New faces performed with key contributions. These are small positives, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this triumph is added to other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad gathered on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
