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

Within a showcase on the elevated floor of the MCG sits a electric pink suit donned by the entertainer. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a success.

It's possible you enjoy Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music in history. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, conceding that some tracks are fantastic while others are poor.

The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft music or even the longest format.

The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format

The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by conditions.

The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the pitch.

If the format is a form of art, the strip is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.

A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test

The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the great game dismantled and reassembled in a bizarre shape.

Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the surface which resulted in a victory and the another short match of the contest.

Allowing 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.

A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket

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

Test cricket is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and counting. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.

The thrillers are even more exciting owing to the investment devoted during quieter periods.

Adjustment: The True Test

Some factors are tolerated more readily than others.

The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.

Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and adjusting appropriately. The best individual contributions were made by recognized players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.

Pure Elation: The Supporters' View

Go and inform the fans who have experienced years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.

In one section of the MCG, thousands waved their flags and created an atmosphere, producing a party atmosphere in a stronghold of national pride.

There was belief as the fielding side surged, advantage when players scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.

Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches

The Melbourne has form with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a match there featured a wicket with all the life of a a non-event.

That fixture was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are polar opposites of the spectrum – both are not the standard, yet value can be attached to each.

At this stage into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the memory.

"It's not the death of the long game at all," said a past champion. "Fans who have been privileged to see these two days have been given some real entertainment. A unique show."

Baby Steps: Building for the Future

In the preparation to this match, the leader spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.

The team protected him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his face.

Emerging talents performed with vital performances. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to use as a platform.

Ultimately, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other notable performances in dead rubbers.

As the crowd departed into a beautiful night, the players congregated on the field to start their own festivities.

Celebrate the win, men. This victory was hard-fought.