Within a glass case on the upper level of the MCG is housed a electric pink outfit performed in by the entertainer. His show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was considered a major hit.
Perhaps you don't enjoy his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music in history. Or you could adopt a balanced view, admitting that some songs are belting while others are awful.
The central idea is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to create music 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 outcome is so dictated by external factors.
The elements, the time of day, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the wicket.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the canvas on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the great game taken to pieces and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the wicket which yielded a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Allowing a thick layer on the wicket, leading to a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is incorrect.
The format is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and still growing. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Other times, it turns square on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the time committed elsewhere.
Adaptation: The True Test
Specific conditions are tolerated more easily than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the balance was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the situation and responding accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class players. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the supporters who have experienced 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the stadium, a sea of people celebrated and created an atmosphere, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the attack surged, impetus when players fought back, and pure joy when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with pitch problems. In the past, a Test there featured a strip with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with few wickets and slow play. This recent match and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – both are not ideal, yet historical weight can be ascribed to both.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.
"Far from being the demise of the long game at all," observed a former player. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. A unique show."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The squad protected him, reinstating the smile to his persona.
Different players performed with key contributions. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to ensure long-term success, but a starting point to build on.
Ultimately, this triumph joins other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the fans left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad assembled on the field to begin their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
