'Was That Not a Show?' Why a Two-Day Fixture Was No Less a Proper Test Match.

Displayed inside a glass case on the upper level of the MCG rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His concert in front of 100,024 attendees was seen as a success.

Perhaps you don't like his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some songs are excellent while others are awful.

The point being is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to produce literature or even the longest format.

The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket

Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on external factors.

The weather, the session, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the playing surface.

If the long game is art, the pitch is the canvas on which the cricketers craft their legacy.

A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test

The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the established format dismantled and reassembled in abstract form.

This is not a defence of the surface which yielded a victory and the another short match of the Ashes battle.

Having a thick layer on the wicket, resulting in a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.

A Varied History: 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.

Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. Sometimes, it turns square on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.

The thrillers are all the more thrilling due to the time made during quieter periods.

Problem Solving: The Real Challenge

Certain variables are tolerated more freely than others.

The debate in during the match was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the top batters were unable from demonstrating their skill.

Test cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and responding accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by world-class stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.

Pure Elation: The Supporters' View

Go and inform the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this was not entertaining.

In a corner of the MCG, countless fans made noise and sang their songs, fostering a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.

There was belief as the bowlers surged, momentum when players fought back, and rapturous celebration when the win was achieved.

Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches

The Melbourne has form with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a a damp squib.

That fixture was a marathon, with few wickets and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the spectrum – neither the standard, yet historical weight can be found in both.

At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the memory.

"It's not the death of the format at all," said a former player. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. Different entertainment."

Small Victories: Building for the Future

In the preparation to this Test, the skipper talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.

The players responded for him, restoring the smile to his persona.

Different players performed with key contributions. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but something to use as a platform.

At the very least, this triumph is added to other memorable performances in dead rubbers.

As the supporters slipped away into a stunning sunset, the squad congregated on the turf to start their own festivities.

Savour the moment, boys. It's well deserved.