In a glass case on the elevated floor of the MCG is housed a electric pink suit worn by the entertainer. His show in front of a massive crowd of fans was hailed as a major hit.
You might not appreciate his music. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, admitting that some hits are excellent while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to produce art or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by external factors.
The weather, the session, the ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the wicket.
If the long game is a form of art, the strip is the foundation on which the players craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport dismantled and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the wicket which produced a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Having 10mm of grass on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets falling in less than two days, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Essence 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 wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are even more exciting owing to the time devoted during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are tolerated more easily than others.
The argument in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about problem solving – reading the wicket and adjusting accordingly. The best individual contributions were made by acknowledged players. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the supporters who have experienced 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the MCG, thousands celebrated and created an atmosphere, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was belief as the attack dominated, momentum when batters responded, and unconditional love when the win was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has form with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a game there featured a pitch with all the life of a a non-event.
That match was a slog, with limited drama and endless boredom. This recent match and that previous match are extreme ends of the scale – neither the standard, yet value can be found in both.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the death of the long game at all," said a former player. "The people who have been privileged to see these short time have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The team delivered for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to secure long-term futures, but a foundation to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team congregated on the turf to start their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, men. It's well deserved.
