Displayed inside a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a electric pink outfit donned by the entertainer. The concert in front of a massive crowd of fans was hailed as a success.
You might not like his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some tracks are belting while others are awful.
The central idea is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create literature or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon the environment.
The elements, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If the format is art, the wicket is the foundation on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport taken to pieces and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a defence of the pitch which resulted in a win and the another short match of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The format is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and still growing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Sometimes, it turns square on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting due to the patience made in other matches.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Some factors are accepted more easily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the top batters were unable from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and adapting accordingly. The best individual innings were made by acknowledged batters. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the stadium, thousands made noise and chanted, producing a party atmosphere in a heartland of national pride.
There was hope as the attack dominated, advantage when batters responded, and pure joy when the victory was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a strip with all the life of a a non-event.
That match was a grind, with minimal action and slow play. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the scale – neither ideal, yet value can be attached to each.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the memory.
"Far from being the death of the format at all," said a former player. "The people who have been privileged to see these two days have been given some real entertainment. A unique show."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this match, the captain talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The players protected him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his face.
Different players performed with vital performances. These are small positives, certainly not enough to ensure long-term success, but a starting point to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team congregated on the turf to commence their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, men. You've earned this one.
