'Are You Not Entertained?' The Reason a 48-Hour Test Remained Every Bit a Genuine Test.

In a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the pop star. His show in front of a massive crowd of fans was hailed as a major hit.

Perhaps you don't appreciate his music. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music in history. Or you could adopt a balanced view, conceding that some hits are excellent while others are poor.

The point being is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is not a single method to create literature or even five-day cricket.

The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket

The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon the environment.

The climate, the hour of play, the red ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the wicket.

If Test cricket is art, the strip is the canvas on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.

A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test

The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the great game taken to pieces and stuck back together in abstract form.

It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the pitch which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the Ashes battle.

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

A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket

But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is incorrect.

The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and counting. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. Other times, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.

The close matches are particularly captivating owing to the patience devoted elsewhere.

Adaptation: The True Test

Specific conditions are tolerated more freely than others.

The argument in during the match was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the best players were hindered from showcasing their talents.

This level of cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and responding appropriately. The two highest individual innings were made by recognized stars. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.

Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited

Attempt to convince the fans who have endured 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.

Among the crowd of the ground, a sea of people waved their flags and chanted, producing a party atmosphere in a stronghold of sport.

There was hope as the attack excelled, momentum when batters fought back, and rapturous celebration when the victory was secured.

Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches

The MCG has previous experience with pitch problems. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a damp squib.

That match was a slog, with minimal action and slow play. This recent match and that previous match are polar opposites of the spectrum – neither perfect, yet significance can be ascribed to each.

Deep into the series into the current series, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the memory.

"It's not the demise of Test cricket at all," observed a former player. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these two days have been experienced some genuine drama. A unique show."

Small Victories: Building for the Future

In the build-up to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.

The players protected him, reinstating the smile to his face.

Different players delivered with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to secure long-term success, but a foundation to build on.

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

As the supporters departed into a beautiful night, the team gathered on the turf to begin their own celebrations.

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