'Was That Not a Show?' Why a Two-Day Test Deserved Its Status as a Proper Test.

Displayed inside a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a neon pink suit worn by the entertainer. His performance in front of 100,024 fans was hailed as a triumph.

You might not like his music. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are terrible.

The key argument is that amusement can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to create music or even five-day cricket.

The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket

The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on external factors.

The elements, the time of day, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.

If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the canvas on which the cricketers craft their legacy.

A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match

The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the great game broken apart and reconstructed in abstract form.

This is not a justification of the wicket which yielded a triumph and the another short match of the series.

Leaving a thick layer on the surface, causing a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.

A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket

But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is incorrect.

The format is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and still growing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.

The exciting finishes are even more exciting owing to the investment made during quieter periods.

Problem Solving: The Real Challenge

Certain variables are accepted more freely than others.

The contention in during the match was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the best players were unable from demonstrating their skill.

This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – assessing the wicket and responding appropriately. The two highest individual contributions were made by world-class players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.

Pure Elation: The Supporters' View

Try telling the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.

Among the crowd of the stadium, thousands celebrated and created an atmosphere, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.

There was belief as the bowlers dominated, momentum when the top order responded, and rapturous celebration when the victory was achieved.

Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches

The venue has previous experience with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a pitch with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.

That contest was a slog, with few wickets and endless boredom. This recent match and that previous match are polar opposites of the range – both are not the standard, yet value can be found in them.

Deep into the series into the current series, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.

"It's not the death of the format at all," said a veteran. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these short time have been given some fantastic sport. An unusual spectacle."

Small Victories: Building for the Future

In the preparation to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.

The team delivered for him, reinstating the smile to his persona.

Emerging talents delivered with key contributions. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to secure long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.

In the end, this MCG win joins other historic performances in meaningless games.

As the fans slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team assembled on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.

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