'Did It Not Captivate?' The Reason a 48-Hour Test Was No Less a Genuine Test.

Displayed inside a showcase on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a electric pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His performance in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a triumph.

Perhaps you don't appreciate the performer. You might think he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a balanced view, acknowledging that some hits are fantastic while others are awful.

The point being is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to produce art or even Test cricket.

The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format

The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by the environment.

The weather, the time of day, the cricket ball – the list is endless. Most important is the playing surface.

If the format is art, the wicket is the foundation on which the cricketers craft their legacy.

A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test

The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the great game broken apart and stuck back together in abstract form.

It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the Ashes battle.

Leaving excessive grass on the wicket, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.

A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket

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

Test cricket is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and ongoing. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the fast men. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.

The close matches are even more exciting due to the time committed during quieter periods.

Adjustment: The Core Skill

Certain variables are tolerated more easily than others.

The contention in Melbourne was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.

This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the wicket and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class batters. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.

Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited

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

In one section of the MCG, a sea of people waved their flags and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.

There was hope as the bowlers excelled, impetus when players scored quickly, and unconditional love when the result was achieved.

Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches

The Melbourne has a history with pitch problems. In the past, a match there featured a strip with the excitement of a a damp squib.

That match was a grind, with few wickets and slow play. The two-day game and that slow Test are extreme ends of the scale – both are not ideal, yet historical weight can be attached to them.

Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.

"Far from being the death of the long game at all," commented a former player. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been given some genuine drama. A unique show."

Baby Steps: Building for the Future

In the preparation to this match, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.

The players delivered for him, restoring the smile to his countenance.

Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but something to build on.

Ultimately, this triumph is added to other memorable performances in meaningless games.

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

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