Displayed inside a glass case on the elevated floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a vibrant pink ensemble donned by the pop star. His concert in front of a massive crowd of fans was seen as a major hit.
You might not like the performer. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some hits are fantastic while others are awful.
The point being is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to craft art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on conditions.
The elements, the time of day, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the wicket.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the canvas on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport dismantled and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the wicket which produced a win and the another short match of the contest.
Allowing a thick layer on the surface, resulting in a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling because of the time committed during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are tolerated more freely than others.
The debate in during the match was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the best players were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about problem solving – reading the situation and responding effectively. The best individual innings were made by world-class stars. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the fans who have suffered a long drought that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the stadium, thousands celebrated and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the bowlers surged, momentum when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the result was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a marathon, with limited drama and slow play. The latest encounter and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the range – one is not more ideal, yet significance can be attached to each.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the death of the format at all," said a veteran. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been experienced some genuine drama. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players delivered for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
Emerging talents delivered with vital performances. These are small positives, certainly not enough to ensure long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory joins other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team gathered on the outfield to start their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, lads. This victory was hard-fought.
