'Did It Not Captivate?' Why a Two-Day Fixture Remained Every Bit a Proper Cricket Test.

Displayed inside a showcase on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a vibrant pink suit donned by the pop star. The performance in front of a hundred thousand fans was hailed as a major hit.

You might not enjoy Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, acknowledging that some hits are excellent while others are poor.

The central idea is that entertainment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is not a single method to craft art or even the longest format.

The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game

Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon the environment.

The climate, the time of day, the ball – the list is endless. Most important is the playing surface.

If Test cricket is a form of art, the strip is the blank slate on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.

An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test

The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the established format dismantled and reassembled in an unusual manner.

This is not a justification of the pitch which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the series.

Having 10mm of grass on the surface, resulting in a cascade of wickets falling in less than two days, is not an even battle between offense and defense.

A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket

But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is mistaken.

The format is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and ongoing. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the ball behaves unpredictably for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.

The close matches are even more exciting due to the time made in other matches.

Adaptation: The True Test

Certain variables are embraced more easily than others.

The contention in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the top batters were unable from demonstrating their skill.

Test cricket is about problem solving – reading the situation and adjusting accordingly. The best individual scores were made by recognized players. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.

Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View

Try telling the supporters who have experienced 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.

In one section of the MCG, a sea of people made noise and created an atmosphere, producing a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.

There was hope as the attack dominated, advantage when players responded, and rapturous celebration when the victory was achieved.

Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches

The MCG has previous experience with difficult wickets. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a non-event.

That fixture was a grind, with minimal action and slow play. This recent match and that previous match are polar opposites of the spectrum – one is not more the standard, yet historical weight can be found in them.

At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.

"It's not the demise of Test cricket at all," commented a veteran. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these short time have been given some fantastic sport. A unique show."

Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope

In the lead-in to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.

The players protected him, restoring the joy to his countenance.

Emerging talents delivered with key contributions. These are small positives, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term futures, but something to build on.

Ultimately, this MCG win is added to other historic performances in similar circumstances.

As the supporters slipped away into a stunning sunset, the players assembled on the turf to start their own festivities.

Savour the moment, lads. This victory was hard-fought.