Within a glass case on the third floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a electric pink suit donned by the entertainer. The show in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a major hit.
It's possible you appreciate the performer. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a balanced view, acknowledging that some songs are fantastic while others are awful.
The point being is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is not a single method to produce literature or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon external factors.
The weather, the time of day, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is art, the pitch is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the established format dismantled and reassembled in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the surface which yielded a victory and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Having a thick layer on the wicket, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than two days, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are all the more thrilling because of the investment committed during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Some factors are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the best players were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about problem solving – assessing the conditions and responding accordingly. The best individual contributions were made by acknowledged stars. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Try telling the supporters who have experienced 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the ground, a sea of people celebrated and sang their songs, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of national pride.
There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, momentum when the top order fought back, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has form with pitch problems. In the past, a game there featured a pitch with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a marathon, with minimal action and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – neither ideal, yet historical weight can be ascribed to each.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the demise of the format at all," commented a veteran. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this match, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The players responded for him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with crucial roles. These are baby steps, hardly enough to secure long-term success, but a starting point to develop from.
In the end, this MCG win takes its place among other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad gathered on the field to commence their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, boys. You've earned this one.
