Within a display cabinet on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a neon pink outfit donned by the pop star. His show in front of a massive crowd of fans was seen as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't like his music. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, admitting that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no one way to produce music or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by conditions.
The elements, the session, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the wicket.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reconstructed in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which resulted in a triumph and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the pitch, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than two days, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is incorrect.
The format is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and counting. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Other times, it turns square on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are particularly captivating due to the patience committed during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Some factors are accepted more freely than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – assessing the situation and adapting accordingly. The best individual scores were made by world-class stars. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the ground, thousands waved their flags and chanted, generating a festive mood in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the attack dominated, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and unconditional love when the win was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a game there featured a pitch with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a grind, with few wickets and slow play. The latest encounter and that slow Test are polar opposites of the scale – both are not perfect, yet value can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the memory.
"It's not the demise of the format at all," commented a veteran. "The people who have been fortunate to see these two days have been treated to some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the preparation to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The players protected him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his persona.
Emerging talents performed with key contributions. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but a foundation to build on.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters slipped away into a beautiful night, the team congregated on the field to begin their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, men. This victory was hard-fought.
