'Are You Not Entertained?' Why a Shortened Match Deserved Its Status as a Proper Cricket Test.

Within a showcase on the third floor of the MCG is housed a neon pink suit performed in by the entertainer. The concert in front of a massive crowd of spectators was hailed as a triumph.

It's possible you enjoy his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music in history. You might take a balanced view, conceding that some tracks are belting while others are awful.

The central idea is that entertainment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to produce music or even five-day cricket.

The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket

The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by the environment.

The climate, the session, the red ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the pitch.

If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.

A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test

The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport broken apart and stuck back together in an unusual manner.

Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the pitch which yielded a victory and the second two-day Test of the series.

Allowing 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.

A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket

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

The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the fast men. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.

The exciting finishes are even more exciting because of the patience committed during quieter periods.

Adaptation: The Core Skill

Specific conditions are accepted more easily than others.

The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the best players were prevented from showcasing their talents.

The format is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the conditions and adapting accordingly. The best individual innings were made by world-class players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.

Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective

Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.

Among the crowd of the ground, thousands waved their flags and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.

There was hope as the attack dominated, impetus when batters responded, and pure joy when the result was achieved.

Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches

The MCG has form with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a match there featured a wicket with the character of a a damp squib.

That match was a slog, with minimal action and slow play. The latest encounter and that slow Test are polar opposites of the spectrum – both are not the standard, yet value can be found in each.

At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.

"Far from being the death of the long game at all," commented a past champion. "The people who have been privileged to see these two days have been experienced some genuine drama. A unique show."

Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope

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

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

Emerging talents performed with key contributions. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a foundation to use as a platform.

At the very least, this MCG win joins other memorable performances in meaningless games.

As the fans left into a beautiful night, the players assembled on the outfield to start their own celebrations.

Celebrate the win, men. You've earned this one.