In a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by the pop star. The concert in front of 100,024 fans was considered a triumph.
It's possible you enjoy his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, admitting that some songs are excellent while others are terrible.
The key argument is that amusement can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to produce literature or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by conditions.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the wicket.
If the long game is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the players paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the great game dismantled and reassembled in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the surface which yielded a triumph and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Leaving excessive grass on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals tumbling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and ongoing. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are particularly captivating due to the investment devoted in other matches.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Specific conditions are accepted more freely than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the contest was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about problem solving – assessing the wicket and adjusting accordingly. The top two individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Try telling the fans who have experienced a long drought that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the stadium, a sea of people waved their flags and created an atmosphere, fostering a festive mood in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, momentum when players scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has a history with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a strip with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That contest was a slog, with minimal action and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the spectrum – one is not more ideal, yet historical weight can be ascribed to them.
Four Tests into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the death of the long game at all," said a veteran. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some genuine drama. A unique show."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The team protected him, restoring the smile to his face.
Different players stepped up with vital performances. These are baby steps, hardly enough to secure long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
Ultimately, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans departed into a beautiful night, the squad assembled on the turf to begin their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
