Within a glass case on the upper level of the MCG rests a neon pink suit performed in by the entertainer. His performance in front of 100,024 attendees was hailed as a major hit.
Perhaps you don't appreciate the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, admitting that some tracks are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that amusement can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to create music or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on the environment.
The weather, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the playing surface.
If the format is a form of art, the strip is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the wicket which yielded a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.
Allowing a thick layer on the wicket, resulting in 36 wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball does all sorts for the fast men. Other times, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating due to the time committed in other matches.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are embraced more readily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the top batters were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and adjusting appropriately. The top two individual scores were made by world-class batters. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the MCG, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.
There was hope as the bowlers excelled, momentum when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the result was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has form with controversial surfaces. Previously, a match there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a slog, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – neither the standard, yet significance can be attached to them.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the end of the long game at all," said a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been given some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the preparation to this match, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The players delivered for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Emerging talents delivered with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to secure long-term futures, but a foundation to build on.
Ultimately, this MCG win joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans slipped away into a stunning sunset, the players gathered on the outfield to begin their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, boys. It's well deserved.
