Displayed inside a glass case on the upper level of the MCG is housed a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by the entertainer. His concert in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a success.
You might not appreciate the performer. Maybe you feel he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. You might take a middle ground, conceding that some hits are excellent while others are poor.
The central idea is that enjoyment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create literature or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon external factors.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the list is endless. Most important is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is art, the pitch is the blank slate on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the great game broken apart and stuck back together in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Having a thick layer on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the investment devoted during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are embraced more freely than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the best players were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about adapting to challenges – assessing the conditions and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized batters. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the MCG, countless fans made noise and created an atmosphere, generating a carnival vibe in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the bowlers dominated, advantage when the top order fought back, and unconditional love when the result was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has form with difficult wickets. In the past, a Test there featured a strip with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a slog, with minimal action and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the scale – neither perfect, yet significance can be attached to both.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the memory.
"Far from being the death of the format at all," commented a past champion. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this Test, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The squad responded for him, restoring the joy to his face.
Different players performed with key contributions. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to secure long-term futures, but a starting point to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win joins other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a beautiful night, the squad assembled on the field to commence their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, lads. It's well deserved.
