Within a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a vibrant pink suit performed in by the entertainer. The show in front of 100,024 fans was considered a major hit.
You might not appreciate his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The central idea is that amusement can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to produce art or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon external factors.
The elements, the time of day, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the pitch.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the pitch is the blank slate on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which yielded a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Other times, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling owing to the investment made during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Specific conditions are tolerated more readily than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the best players were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about finding solutions – assessing the conditions and responding accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by recognized batters. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the ground, a sea of people made noise and chanted, generating a festive mood in a stronghold of national pride.
There was belief as the fielding side dominated, advantage when players fought back, and rapturous celebration when the victory was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a strip with the character of a a non-event.
That match was a slog, with minimal action and slow play. The latest encounter and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – neither the standard, yet historical weight can be ascribed to both.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the history books.
"It's not the demise of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The squad protected him, restoring the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Different players stepped up with vital performances. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a starting point to develop from.
Ultimately, this triumph takes its place among other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the crowd slipped away into a stunning sunset, the team gathered on the outfield to start their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, boys. It's well deserved.
