Displayed inside a glass case on the third floor of the MCG sits a electric pink ensemble donned by the entertainer. The show in front of a massive crowd of fans was hailed as a triumph.
You might not appreciate his music. Maybe you feel he is the finest offering to music known to man. You might take a balanced view, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create music or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the wicket.
If the long game is a form of art, the wicket is the foundation on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the great game taken to pieces and reassembled in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the wicket which yielded a triumph and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are even more exciting owing to the patience committed elsewhere.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Some factors are accepted more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – reading the wicket and adjusting effectively. The best individual contributions were made by recognized players. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the fans who have experienced years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the MCG, thousands waved their flags and chanted, generating a festive mood in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the fielding side excelled, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the victory was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a game there featured a pitch with all the life of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a marathon, with minimal action and slow play. The latest encounter and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet value can be ascribed to them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the memory.
"Far from being the end of Test cricket at all," said a veteran. "The people who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been treated to some genuine drama. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The players responded for him, restoring the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are small positives, certainly not enough to secure long-term success, but a starting point to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team assembled on the outfield to begin their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, boys. It's well deserved.
