Within a showcase on the upper level of the MCG sits a neon pink outfit worn by the pop star. His show in front of 100,024 fans was hailed as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't appreciate his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, conceding that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The central idea is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is not a single method to create literature or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on external factors.
The elements, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the foundation on which the players craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
This is not a justification of the pitch which yielded a win and the another short match of the series.
Leaving a thick layer on the pitch, resulting in 36 wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and counting. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are even more exciting owing to the time made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Some factors are embraced more freely than others.
The debate in during the match was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were hindered from playing their natural game.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and adjusting appropriately. The best individual contributions were made by acknowledged stars. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the supporters who have suffered years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the MCG, thousands made noise and sang their songs, generating a party atmosphere in a bastion of national pride.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, impetus when players responded, and unconditional love when the result was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with difficult wickets. Previously, a game there featured a strip with the excitement of a a non-event.
That fixture was a grind, with few wickets and slow play. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – neither ideal, yet significance can be found in each.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the history books.
"Far from being the death of the long game at all," observed a veteran. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been experienced some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this match, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The players protected him, bringing back the smile to his persona.
Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are small positives, certainly not enough to ensure long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.
At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters slipped away into a beautiful night, the players assembled on the turf to begin their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
