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

In a showcase on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink suit performed in by the pop star. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a major hit.

Perhaps you don't enjoy his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music in history. You might take a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some songs are fantastic while others are terrible.

The point being is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to create music or even Test cricket.

The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game

Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on conditions.

The climate, the session, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the wicket.

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

A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test

The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reconstructed in abstract form.

Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the surface which yielded a win and the another short match of the Ashes battle.

Having 10mm of grass on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.

A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket

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

The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and counting. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.

The thrillers are particularly captivating because of the patience devoted elsewhere.

Problem Solving: The Core Skill

Certain variables are tolerated more easily than others.

The debate in Melbourne was that the contest was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.

Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and adjusting effectively. The top two individual scores were made by recognized stars. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.

Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View

Go and inform the devotees who have suffered a long drought that this lacked spectacle.

In a corner of the stadium, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, generating a party atmosphere in a bastion of sport.

There was hope as the attack excelled, advantage when players responded, and pure joy when the victory was achieved.

Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches

The MCG has previous experience with pitch problems. Previously, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.

That match was a slog, with minimal action and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are polar opposites of the range – neither perfect, yet historical weight can be attached to them.

At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the memory.

"This isn't the demise of the format at all," said a former player. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."

Baby Steps: Looking Ahead

In the preparation to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.

The squad delivered for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his face.

New faces stepped up with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to secure long-term futures, but a starting point to use as a platform.

In the end, this MCG win takes its place among other historic performances in similar circumstances.

As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the players congregated on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.

Enjoy the drink, lads. It's well deserved.