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

Within a glass case on the third floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a vibrant pink suit worn by the pop star. His concert in front of a massive crowd of fans was hailed as a major hit.

It's possible you enjoy the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music in history. You might take a balanced view, acknowledging that some songs are belting while others are awful.

The point being is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to craft literature or even the longest format.

The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format

The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on external factors.

The weather, the time of day, the red ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the pitch.

If the long game is a form of art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the players create their art.

A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test

The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the great game dismantled and reassembled in an unusual manner.

It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which yielded a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.

Having a thick layer on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.

A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket

But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is mistaken.

The long game is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and still growing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the ball behaves unpredictably for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.

The exciting finishes are particularly captivating owing to the patience devoted elsewhere.

Problem Solving: The Core Skill

Specific conditions are embraced more freely than others.

The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the best players were hindered from demonstrating their skill.

The format is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by recognized batters. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.

Pure Elation: The Supporters' View

Attempt to convince the supporters who have endured years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.

In one section of the stadium, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, producing a party atmosphere in a heartland of Australian cricket.

There was optimism as the bowlers dominated, impetus when batters responded, and unconditional love when the win was confirmed.

Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches

The Melbourne has form with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a strip with the excitement of a a non-event.

That match was a grind, with minimal action and slow play. The latest encounter and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – neither ideal, yet historical weight can be ascribed to them.

Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the memory.

"It's not the death of the format at all," said a former player. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been experienced some real entertainment. A unique show."

Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead

In the preparation to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.

The squad protected him, restoring the joy to his persona.

New faces performed with vital performances. These are baby steps, hardly enough to guarantee long-term success, but something to develop from.

Ultimately, this triumph takes its place among other notable performances in similar circumstances.

As the supporters slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team assembled on the outfield to commence their own enjoyment.

Savour the moment, men. This victory was hard-fought.