'Are You Not Entertained?' The Reason a Shortened Test Remained Every Bit a Proper Cricket Test.

Displayed inside a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a electric pink outfit donned by the entertainer. His concert in front of a hundred thousand attendees was seen as a triumph.

Perhaps you don't like the performer. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. You might take a reasonable stance, admitting that some hits are fantastic while others are awful.

The key argument is that amusement can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to produce music or even Test cricket.

The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format

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

The elements, the session, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the wicket.

If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes create their art.

An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle

The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the great game broken apart and stuck back together in abstract form.

This is not a justification of the surface which resulted in a victory and the another short match of the Ashes battle.

Having 10mm of grass on the pitch, resulting in 36 wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.

A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket

But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.

Test cricket is a varied portfolio, a long history and counting. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.

The exciting finishes are even more exciting due to the patience committed elsewhere.

Problem Solving: The Real Challenge

Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.

The debate in at the MCG was that the balance was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the best players were hindered from demonstrating their skill.

The format is about adapting to challenges – assessing the situation and adapting accordingly. The top two individual scores were made by acknowledged players. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.

Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View

Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.

In one section of the stadium, countless fans waved their flags and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.

There was belief as the attack excelled, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and unconditional love when the result was secured.

Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches

The Melbourne has a history with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.

That contest was a marathon, with minimal action and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the range – both are not the standard, yet value can be ascribed to both.

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

"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," commented a former player. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been treated to some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."

Signs of Progress: Building for the Future

In the preparation to this Test, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.

The team responded for him, restoring the joy to his face.

Different players performed with key contributions. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to ensure long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.

At the very least, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other memorable performances in meaningless games.

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

Enjoy the drink, men. This victory was hard-fought.