In a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a neon pink ensemble performed in by the entertainer. The show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was hailed as a major hit.
You might not enjoy his music. Maybe you feel he is the finest offering to music in history. You might take a middle ground, conceding that some hits are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no one way to craft music or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the red ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the cricketers create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the great game taken to pieces and reassembled in an unusual manner.
This is not a endorsement of the wicket which produced a triumph and the another short match of the contest.
Having excessive grass on the surface, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are particularly captivating due to the time devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are tolerated more readily than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were hindered from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – reading the situation and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by recognized players. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the devotees who have endured 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the ground, thousands waved their flags and sang their songs, generating a festive mood in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the attack excelled, impetus when the top order fought back, and pure joy when the win was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a match there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That match was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not the standard, yet significance can be ascribed to each.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," commented a veteran. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The team delivered for him, bringing back the smile to his countenance.
Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a starting point to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory is added to other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team gathered on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Celebrate the win, men. This victory was hard-fought.
