Displayed inside a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a neon pink suit performed in by the entertainer. His concert in front of 100,024 spectators was considered a success.
It's possible you like the performer. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music in history. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, admitting that some tracks are fantastic while others are terrible.
The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no one way to craft music or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by external factors.
The climate, the session, the red ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the pitch.
If the long game is art, the wicket is the canvas on which the athletes create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reassembled in abstract form.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the pitch which produced a triumph and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the pitch, leading to numerous dismissals tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and counting. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. Sometimes, it turns square on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating due to the investment committed during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Some factors are embraced more freely than others.
The argument in during the match was that the contest was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were hindered from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and adjusting accordingly. The top two individual contributions were made by world-class stars. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Try telling the fans who have suffered years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the stadium, thousands celebrated and chanted, fostering a festive mood in a heartland of national pride.
There was hope as the attack surged, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the win was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a a damp squib.
That match was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet historical weight can be attached to them.
At this stage into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.
"It's not the demise of the format at all," observed a past champion. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The squad delivered for him, restoring the smile to his face.
Emerging talents stepped up with crucial roles. These are small positives, not nearly enough to secure long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win joins other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the players assembled on the outfield to begin their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, boys. It's well deserved.
