Displayed inside a display cabinet on the upper level of the MCG is housed a vibrant pink suit performed in by the entertainer. The performance in front of a massive crowd of spectators was seen as a success.
You might not like the performer. You might think he is the ultimate present to music in history. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some songs are belting while others are awful.
The point being is that entertainment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft art or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by conditions.
The weather, the session, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the pitch.
If the format is art, the wicket is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the established format taken to pieces and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the wicket which produced a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Having a thick layer on the wicket, causing 36 wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. In contrast, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the patience devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Some factors are tolerated more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – reading the situation and responding accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized players. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the stadium, thousands celebrated and chanted, producing a festive mood in a heartland of national pride.
There was hope as the attack excelled, advantage when batters fought back, and pure joy when the victory was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with difficult wickets. Previously, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a a non-event.
That match was a grind, with minimal action and endless boredom. The two-day game and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the scale – neither perfect, yet value can be found in them.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"Far from being the demise of the format at all," observed a veteran. "The people who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The players protected him, reinstating the smile to his face.
Different players stepped up with key contributions. These are baby steps, hardly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad congregated on the outfield to start their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, lads. It's well deserved.
