Within a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a electric pink ensemble performed in by the entertainer. The show in front of a hundred thousand fans was hailed as a major hit.
You might not like his music. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music known to man. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some songs are belting while others are terrible.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to create music or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the cricket ball – the list is endless. Above all is the pitch.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the canvas on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and reassembled in abstract form.
This is not a justification of the wicket which yielded a victory and the another short match of the contest.
Having 10mm of grass on the surface, causing a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The format is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and still growing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball behaves unpredictably for the pace bowlers. Other times, it spins sharply on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating owing to the time committed in other matches.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are embraced more readily than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the best players were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about problem solving – assessing the wicket and adjusting accordingly. The best individual scores were made by recognized stars. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the devotees who have endured 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the MCG, countless fans made noise and sang their songs, generating a party atmosphere in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, momentum when batters scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the victory was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with pitch problems. Previously, a Test there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a non-event.
That contest was a grind, with few wickets and slow play. This recent match and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the scale – both are not perfect, yet value can be ascribed to each.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the death of Test cricket at all," commented a former player. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these two days have been given some real entertainment. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The team delivered for him, reinstating the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with vital performances. These are baby steps, hardly enough to ensure long-term futures, but something to develop from.
At the very least, this triumph is added to other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd departed into a beautiful night, the players assembled on the turf to start their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, lads. You've earned this one.
