'Are You Not Entertained?' Why a Two-Day Fixture Was No Less a Proper Test.

Displayed inside a glass case on the third floor of the MCG rests a vibrant pink ensemble donned by the entertainer. The concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was seen as a success.

You might not appreciate his music. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, conceding that some songs are excellent while others are terrible.

The central idea is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to craft music or even the longest format.

The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format

The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.

The climate, the session, the red ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the wicket.

If the long game is a form of art, the pitch is the blank slate on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.

An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle

The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport taken to pieces and stuck back together in abstract form.

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

Having a thick layer on the surface, causing a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not an even battle between offense and defense.

A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket

But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is mistaken.

The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and ongoing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.

The exciting finishes are even more exciting due to the time made during quieter periods.

Adaptation: The Core Skill

Some factors are embraced more freely than others.

The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the best players were unable from demonstrating their skill.

The format is about problem solving – assessing the situation and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by acknowledged stars. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.

Pure Elation: The Supporters' View

Try telling the fans who have experienced 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.

In one section of the stadium, thousands celebrated and chanted, fostering a party atmosphere in a stronghold of Australian cricket.

There was optimism as the attack surged, impetus when players responded, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.

Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches

The Melbourne has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a match there featured a pitch with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.

That fixture was a slog, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – both are not the standard, yet value can be ascribed to each.

At this stage into the current series, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the memory.

"Far from being the end of the format at all," observed a former player. "The people who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some genuine drama. A unique show."

Baby Steps: Building for the Future

In the preparation to this match, the leader spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.

The squad protected him, reinstating the joy to his face.

Different players stepped up with vital performances. These are small positives, certainly not enough to ensure long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.

At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other historic performances in dead rubbers.

As the supporters slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players assembled on the turf to start their own festivities.

Savour the moment, boys. This victory was hard-fought.