Displayed inside a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a neon pink outfit worn by the pop star. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was seen as a major hit.
You might not enjoy the performer. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, acknowledging that some hits are belting while others are poor.
The central idea is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to produce literature or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the pitch.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the wicket is the foundation on which the players craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the established format dismantled and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the another short match of the contest.
Having 10mm of grass on the pitch, leading to numerous dismissals tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a diverse canvas, a long history and counting. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. Other times, it turns square on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are even more exciting because of the investment devoted elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Certain variables are embraced more freely than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were unable from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the conditions and adapting appropriately. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the ground, thousands made noise and sang their songs, fostering a party atmosphere in a heartland of national pride.
There was hope as the attack excelled, momentum when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the victory was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a slog, with limited drama and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the spectrum – one is not more the standard, yet significance can be attached to both.
At this stage into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the memory.
"It's not the demise of Test cricket at all," commented a past champion. "The people who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The team delivered for him, bringing back the smile to his countenance.
Emerging talents delivered with key contributions. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to secure long-term stability, but a foundation to use as a platform.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans left into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the outfield to begin their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, men. You've earned this one.
