In a display cabinet on the third floor of the MCG sits a neon pink outfit donned by the pop star. The concert in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, admitting that some tracks are fantastic while others are awful.
The key argument is that entertainment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no one way to craft 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 outcome is so reliant upon the environment.
The weather, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the list is endless. Above all is the wicket.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the canvas on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the great game dismantled and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the pitch which produced a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the surface, causing numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is incorrect.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Other times, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling due to the patience devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are accepted more readily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the best players were unable from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – assessing the wicket and adjusting appropriately. The two highest individual innings were made by recognized stars. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the fans who have experienced years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the stadium, a sea of people made noise and chanted, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was belief as the attack surged, advantage when players fought back, and unconditional love when the win was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a slog, with few wickets and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are polar opposites of the range – both are not ideal, yet value can be attached to both.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the memory.
"Far from being the death of the format at all," said a former player. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been experienced some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The squad delivered for him, reinstating the joy to his face.
Emerging talents delivered with key contributions. These are baby steps, hardly enough to guarantee long-term success, but something to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win is added to other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad gathered on the outfield to begin their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, boys. You've earned this one.
