'Was That Not a Show?' Why a 48-Hour Test Remained Every Bit a Proper Test Match.

Displayed inside a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a vibrant pink outfit donned by Robbie Williams. His performance in front of 100,024 attendees was considered a success.

It's possible you enjoy his music. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. Or you could adopt a middle ground, admitting that some tracks are fantastic while others are awful.

The central idea is that entertainment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to craft literature or even five-day cricket.

The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format

The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon external factors.

The elements, the time of day, the red ball – the list is endless. Above all is the wicket.

If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the blank slate on which the players craft their legacy.

An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match

The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the great game taken to pieces and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.

It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which resulted in a win and the another short match of the series.

Leaving 10mm of grass on the pitch, causing a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.

A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket

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

The long game is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and still growing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.

The thrillers are particularly captivating owing to the patience made in other matches.

Adjustment: The Real Challenge

Some factors are tolerated more easily than others.

The argument in at the MCG was that the contest was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the best players were unable from showcasing their talents.

The format is about finding solutions – assessing the conditions and adapting appropriately. The two highest individual scores were made by world-class batters. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.

Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View

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

In one section of the MCG, thousands made noise and created an atmosphere, fostering a festive mood in a bastion of Australian cricket.

There was optimism as the attack excelled, advantage when players scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.

Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches

The venue has form with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a damp squib.

That match was a marathon, with few wickets and slow play. The latest encounter and that previous match are extreme ends of the scale – neither ideal, yet historical weight can be found in both.

At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.

"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," said a veteran. "The people who have been privileged to see these short time have been treated to some fantastic sport. A unique show."

Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope

In the preparation to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.

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

Emerging talents delivered with vital performances. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.

Ultimately, this MCG win is added to other historic performances in meaningless games.

As the crowd departed into a beautiful night, the squad assembled on the field to commence their own festivities.

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