Within a glass case on the third floor of the MCG rests a neon pink suit worn by the entertainer. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was seen as a triumph.
You might not like the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music in history. Or you could adopt a balanced view, admitting that some hits are excellent while others are terrible.
The point being is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to craft art or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on external factors.
The weather, the time of day, the red ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the pitch.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the blank slate on which the athletes create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport taken to pieces and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a endorsement of the pitch which produced a victory and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, leading to 36 wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
The format is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and still growing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting owing to the patience devoted during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Some factors are embraced more freely than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – assessing the wicket and responding appropriately. The two highest individual scores were made by world-class players. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the fans who have experienced 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the stadium, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, generating a festive mood in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the fielding side excelled, momentum when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the win was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a Test there featured a strip with the character of a a non-event.
That fixture was a slog, with limited drama and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – both are not perfect, yet value can be found in both.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"It's not the death of the long game at all," commented a former player. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been treated to some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The team protected him, restoring the smile to his face.
Emerging talents delivered with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.
Ultimately, this triumph takes its place among other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans slipped away into a stunning sunset, the team gathered on the turf to commence their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, men. You've earned this one.
