In a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a vibrant pink ensemble donned by the entertainer. His show in front of 100,024 fans was seen as a triumph.
You might not enjoy the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music in history. You might take a reasonable stance, conceding that some hits are fantastic while others are terrible.
The central idea is that enjoyment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to produce art or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on the environment.
The climate, the time of day, the ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.
If the long game is a form of art, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the established format broken apart and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the pitch which produced a victory and the another short match of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the surface, causing numerous dismissals being taken 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 diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, a long history and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are particularly captivating because of the patience made during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Certain variables are accepted more readily than others.
The argument in during the match was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from playing their natural game.
The format is about problem solving – assessing the wicket and responding effectively. The best individual contributions were made by world-class batters. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Try telling the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the MCG, thousands made noise and sang their songs, fostering a carnival vibe in a bastion of national pride.
There was optimism as the attack dominated, advantage when batters fought back, and unconditional love when the result was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has a history with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a match there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a slog, with limited drama and slow play. The latest encounter and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the scale – one is not more the standard, yet historical weight can be found in them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the history books.
"This isn't the death of the format at all," said a past champion. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some genuine drama. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The players delivered for him, reinstating the smile to his face.
New faces performed with crucial roles. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to secure long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.
Ultimately, this triumph joins other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a beautiful night, the team congregated on the outfield to start their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, men. You've earned this one.
