Displayed inside a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a vibrant pink ensemble donned by the pop star. The show in front of a massive crowd of fans was considered a success.
It's possible you like his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are fantastic while others are awful.
The central idea is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to create art or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon external factors.
The weather, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the blank slate on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport broken apart and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
This is not a endorsement of the pitch which produced a triumph and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Having 10mm of grass on the pitch, leading to a cascade of wickets being taken in less than two days, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The format is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the investment committed in other matches.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the top batters were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and adjusting appropriately. The best individual contributions were made by recognized players. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the supporters who have suffered years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the MCG, thousands made noise and chanted, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of sport.
There was belief as the attack excelled, impetus when players fought back, and rapturous celebration when the result was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a a non-event.
That fixture was a slog, with minimal action and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the range – one is not more the standard, yet significance can be ascribed to each.
At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the end of the format at all," said a former player. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been treated to some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this match, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The squad protected him, restoring the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Different players performed with crucial roles. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.
Ultimately, this triumph is added to other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the squad assembled on the turf to begin their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, boys. It's well deserved.
