'Did It Not Captivate?' Why a Shortened Fixture Deserved Its Status as a Proper Test.

Displayed inside a showcase on the third floor of the MCG rests a vibrant pink suit worn by the pop star. His performance in front of 100,024 fans was seen as a triumph.

You might not like his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music in history. You might take a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some songs are excellent while others are poor.

The point being is that amusement can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is no one way to produce literature or even the longest format.

The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket

The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on conditions.

The weather, the session, the red ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the wicket.

If the long game is art, the strip is the canvas on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.

An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match

The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport dismantled and reassembled in an unusual manner.

It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which yielded a win and the another short match of the Ashes battle.

Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, resulting in a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.

A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket

But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is incorrect.

The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and counting. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball behaves unpredictably for the pace bowlers. Other times, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.

The close matches are even more exciting owing to the investment made during quieter periods.

Adaptation: The Real Challenge

Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.

The contention in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the top batters were hindered from showcasing their talents.

This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and responding effectively. The two highest individual contributions were made by world-class stars. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.

Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited

Go and inform the devotees who have experienced years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.

In one section of the stadium, countless fans celebrated and sang their songs, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of Australian cricket.

There was hope as the attack excelled, impetus when players scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.

Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches

The Melbourne has a history with pitch problems. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.

That match was a marathon, with limited drama and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – one is not more ideal, yet significance can be found in each.

At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.

"It's not the death of Test cricket at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some fantastic sport. A unique show."

Small Victories: Looking Ahead

In the lead-in to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.

The squad responded for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.

Different players performed with vital performances. These are small positives, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.

At the very least, this Melbourne victory is added to other historic performances in similar circumstances.

As the crowd left into a stunning sunset, the squad congregated on the turf to commence their own enjoyment.

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