'Was That Not a Show?' Why a Shortened Test Deserved Its Status as a Proper Test Match.

Displayed inside a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. The concert in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a success.

It's possible you like his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, acknowledging that some songs are fantastic while others are terrible.

The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to craft art or even five-day cricket.

The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket

The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon conditions.

The weather, the time of day, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the wicket.

If the long game is art, the strip is the blank slate on which the athletes craft their legacy.

A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test

The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the great game dismantled and stuck back together in abstract form.

It must be stated this is not a justification of the surface which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the series.

Leaving a thick layer on the wicket, leading to 36 wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.

A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket

But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.

Test cricket is a varied portfolio, a long history and still growing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.

The close matches are particularly captivating because of the time committed elsewhere.

Problem Solving: The Core Skill

Some factors are accepted more freely than others.

The contention in Melbourne was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from demonstrating their skill.

The format is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the situation and adapting effectively. The best individual scores were made by acknowledged batters. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.

Pure Elation: The Supporters' View

Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered years of defeat that this was not entertaining.

In a corner of the ground, thousands made noise and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a bastion of sport.

There was belief as the attack dominated, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.

Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches

The MCG has form with difficult wickets. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.

That fixture was a grind, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – both are not the standard, yet significance can be ascribed to each.

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

"This isn't the death of the format at all," commented a veteran. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been given some real entertainment. A unique show."

Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope

In the build-up to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.

The players responded for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his countenance.

Different players performed with vital performances. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but a starting point to use as a platform.

At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in similar circumstances.

As the crowd departed into a stunning sunset, the players congregated on the field to commence their own festivities.

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