'Did It Not Captivate?' Why a Shortened Fixture Was No Less a Authentic Cricket Test.

In a showcase on the third floor of the MCG is housed a vibrant pink suit worn by the entertainer. His concert in front of 100,024 spectators was seen as a major hit.

It's possible you appreciate his music. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, admitting that some hits are belting while others are awful.

The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to produce music or even the longest format.

The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket

Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on the environment.

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

If Test cricket is art, the pitch is the canvas on which the cricketers create their art.

A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test

The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reassembled in abstract form.

This is not a defence of the pitch which yielded a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.

Leaving a thick layer on the pitch, causing 36 wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between offense and defense.

A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket

But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is mistaken.

Test cricket is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and counting. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.

The thrillers are even more exciting because of the patience devoted during quieter periods.

Problem Solving: The True Test

Some factors are tolerated more freely than others.

The contention in during the match was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the top batters were hindered from demonstrating their skill.

This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the conditions and adjusting effectively. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class players. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.

Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited

Go and inform the fans who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.

In one section of the ground, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, fostering a party atmosphere in a heartland of sport.

There was optimism as the attack surged, momentum when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.

Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches

The venue has a history with pitch problems. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.

That fixture was a grind, with minimal action and slow play. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the spectrum – one is not more the standard, yet value can be found in them.

At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the history books.

"It's not the death of the format at all," said a former player. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been experienced some real entertainment. Different entertainment."

Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope

In the preparation to this Test, the skipper talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.

The team protected him, reinstating the smile to his face.

New faces stepped up with key contributions. These are small positives, not nearly enough to secure long-term futures, but a starting point to build on.

At the very least, this Melbourne victory is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.

As the crowd departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team congregated on the field to start their own celebrations.

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