'Did It Not Captivate?' Why a Shortened Match Was No Less a Genuine Test.

Within a showcase on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a electric pink ensemble worn by the pop star. His performance in front of a massive crowd of fans was seen as a success.

It's possible you like Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, admitting that some songs are excellent while others are awful.

The point being is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to produce literature or even the longest format.

The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format

The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by conditions.

The climate, the time of day, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the wicket.

If the format is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the canvas on which the players 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 reconstructed in abstract form.

This is not a defence of the surface which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the contest.

Having 10mm of grass on the surface, causing 36 wickets being taken in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.

A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket

But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is mistaken.

Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.

The close matches are even more exciting because of the investment made during quieter periods.

Problem Solving: The Real Challenge

Specific conditions are accepted more readily than others.

The contention in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were unable from demonstrating their skill.

Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and adapting accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by acknowledged stars. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.

Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited

Try telling the supporters who have endured 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.

In one section of the MCG, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a bastion of sport.

There was optimism as the fielding side surged, momentum when batters responded, and rapturous celebration when the win was confirmed.

Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches

The MCG has form with pitch problems. In the past, a match there featured a strip with all the life of a a damp squib.

That contest was a marathon, with few wickets and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the spectrum – neither perfect, yet value can be found in them.

Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.

"This isn't the death of the long game at all," commented a veteran. "The people who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."

Baby Steps: Looking Ahead

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

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

Different players performed with crucial roles. 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 notable performances in dead rubbers.

As the supporters slipped away into a beautiful night, the team congregated on the outfield to start their own festivities.

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