Displayed inside a showcase on the elevated floor of the MCG is housed a neon pink outfit worn by the pop star. The concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was seen as a success.
It's possible you appreciate his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. You might take a balanced view, conceding that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.
The central idea is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to produce music or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the red ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the pitch.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the foundation on which the athletes create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which produced a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, resulting in a cascade of wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as inauthentic, is incorrect.
The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and ongoing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. Other times, it grips and turns on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are particularly captivating because of the patience committed during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The True Test
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The contention in during the match was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – reading the conditions and adjusting effectively. The best individual innings were made by acknowledged batters. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the supporters who have experienced 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the ground, a sea of people waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the bowlers excelled, impetus when the top order fought back, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with controversial surfaces. In the past, a Test there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a non-event.
That fixture was a marathon, with limited drama and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the range – one is not more ideal, yet significance can be found in them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the history books.
"This isn't the death of the long game at all," commented a past champion. "The people who have been privileged to see these short time have been given some genuine drama. A unique show."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this match, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The players delivered for him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his persona.
Different players stepped up with key contributions. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to secure long-term stability, but a foundation to develop from.
Ultimately, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the crowd departed into a beautiful night, the squad congregated on the outfield to begin their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, boys. You've earned this one.
