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

Within a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a electric pink ensemble donned by the entertainer. The show in front of 100,024 attendees was hailed as a triumph.

It's possible you enjoy the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music known to man. You might take a middle ground, admitting that some hits are fantastic while others are poor.

The point being is that enjoyment can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no one way to craft music or even five-day cricket.

The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game

The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon external factors.

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

If the format is a form of art, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes craft their legacy.

A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match

The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport dismantled and reassembled in a bizarre shape.

This is not a defence of the surface which yielded a triumph and the another short match of the series.

Having excessive grass on the pitch, leading to a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.

A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket

But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is mistaken.

The long game is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and ongoing. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.

The close matches are all the more thrilling because of the patience devoted in other matches.

Adaptation: The Core Skill

Some factors are tolerated more readily than others.

The argument in during the match was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were unable from demonstrating their skill.

This level of cricket is about finding solutions – assessing the conditions and adapting effectively. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.

Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective

Try telling the fans who have experienced years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.

In a corner of the MCG, a sea of people made noise and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a bastion of sport.

There was optimism as the attack surged, advantage when batters responded, and unconditional love when the win was achieved.

Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches

The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a game there featured a strip with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.

That contest was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that previous match are polar opposites of the range – neither perfect, yet historical weight can be ascribed to each.

Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the memory.

"Far from being the end of Test cricket at all," said a veteran. "The people who have been privileged to see these short time have been experienced some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."

Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope

In the lead-in to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.

The players responded for him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his face.

Different players delivered with vital performances. These are small positives, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term success, but a starting point to build on.

At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in similar circumstances.

As the fans departed into a beautiful night, the squad assembled on the outfield to begin their own celebrations.

Enjoy the drink, lads. You've earned this one.