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

Within a glass case on the upper level of the MCG rests a electric pink outfit worn by the entertainer. The concert in front of 100,024 attendees was considered a triumph.

Perhaps you don't appreciate the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, admitting that some songs are belting while others are awful.

The key argument is that enjoyment can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to produce art or even Test cricket.

The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket

The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on external factors.

The climate, the session, the red ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the pitch.

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

A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle

The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format broken apart and stuck back together in an unusual manner.

It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the surface which yielded a victory and the another short match of the contest.

Allowing a thick layer on the wicket, resulting in 36 wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between offense and defense.

A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket

But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.

Test cricket is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and still growing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it grips and turns on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.

The thrillers are particularly captivating owing to the patience devoted during quieter periods.

Adjustment: The Real Challenge

Certain variables are tolerated more freely than others.

The debate in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the best players were hindered from demonstrating their skill.

Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and responding accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by world-class players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.

Pure Elation: The Supporters' View

Attempt to convince the fans who have experienced 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.

In a corner of the MCG, thousands waved their flags and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of Australian cricket.

There was belief as the fielding side excelled, advantage when the top order responded, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.

Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches

The venue has form with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a pitch with all the life of a a damp squib.

That fixture was a marathon, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the scale – neither perfect, yet value can be ascribed to both.

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

"Far from being the demise of the format at all," said a past champion. "The people who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been given some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."

Small Victories: Looking Ahead

In the lead-in to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

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

Different players delivered with key contributions. These are small positives, hardly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to use as a platform.

In the end, this triumph joins other notable performances in similar circumstances.

As the crowd left into a stunning sunset, the players gathered on the outfield to begin their own celebrations.

Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.