'Did It Not Captivate?' Why a Shortened Match Remained Every Bit a Proper Test Match.

Within a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a neon pink ensemble donned by the entertainer. The performance in front of a massive crowd of spectators was hailed as a triumph.

You might not enjoy his music. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Or you could adopt a balanced view, acknowledging that some songs are fantastic while others are awful.

The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to produce literature or even five-day cricket.

The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game

Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on external factors.

The elements, the time of day, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the wicket.

If the long game is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the athletes craft their legacy.

An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match

The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.

Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the pitch which produced a victory and the another short match of the series.

Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals falling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.

A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket

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

The long game is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and still growing. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.

The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling because of the patience committed during quieter periods.

Adjustment: The Real Challenge

Specific conditions are accepted more easily than others.

The contention in during the match was that the contest was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.

The format is about problem solving – assessing the conditions and adapting effectively. The top two individual innings were made by acknowledged players. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.

Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View

Go and inform the devotees who have endured a long drought that this wasn't compelling.

In one section of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and chanted, fostering a carnival vibe in a heartland of national pride.

There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, momentum when players scored quickly, and pure joy when the win was achieved.

Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches

The Melbourne has form with pitch problems. Previously, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a a non-event.

That match was a marathon, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – one is not more perfect, yet historical weight can be ascribed to them.

Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the history books.

"It's not the end of the long game at all," observed a former player. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been treated to some fantastic sport. A unique show."

Baby Steps: Building for the Future

In the preparation to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.

The team responded for him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.

Different players performed with vital performances. These are small positives, not nearly enough to secure long-term stability, but something to build on.

At the very least, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other notable performances in meaningless games.

As the crowd left into a beautiful night, the players congregated on the outfield to begin their own enjoyment.

Celebrate the win, lads. You've earned this one.