Displayed inside a glass case on the third floor of the MCG sits a vibrant pink ensemble donned by the entertainer. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a triumph.
It's possible you appreciate the performer. Maybe you feel he is the finest offering to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, admitting that some hits are excellent while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to craft music or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the cricket ball – the list is endless. Above all is the wicket.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and reassembled in an unusual manner.
This is not a defence of the wicket which yielded a win and the another short match of the contest.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, causing a cascade of wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is incorrect.
The long game is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and counting. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Sometimes, it turns square on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are particularly captivating because of the investment devoted elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Some factors are tolerated more readily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and adapting accordingly. The top two individual contributions were made by acknowledged batters. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have experienced a long drought that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the stadium, thousands waved their flags and created an atmosphere, fostering a carnival vibe in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the attack surged, impetus when batters scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the win was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a match there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a non-event.
That match was a marathon, with minimal action and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – one is not more perfect, yet historical weight can be found in both.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the memory.
"This isn't the demise of the long game at all," said a veteran. "The people who have been fortunate to see these short time have been experienced some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this Test, the leader talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The team protected him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
Different players stepped up with vital performances. These are baby steps, hardly enough to secure long-term success, but something to build on.
At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the outfield to commence their own festivities.
Savour the moment, men. You've earned this one.
