'Was That Not a Show?' The Reason a 48-Hour Test Remained Every Bit a Genuine Test.

In a glass case on the upper level of the MCG sits a vibrant pink outfit donned by the entertainer. The concert in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a triumph.

It's possible you enjoy Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some tracks are excellent while others are terrible.

The central idea is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no one way to craft music or even the longest format.

The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format

The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on the environment.

The elements, the session, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.

If Test cricket is a form of art, the pitch is the blank slate on which the players craft their legacy.

A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test

The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.

This is not a justification of the pitch which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the series.

Leaving excessive grass on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.

A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket

But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.

Test cricket is a varied portfolio, a long history and still growing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Sometimes, it turns square on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.

The exciting finishes are even more exciting owing to the time made in other matches.

Adjustment: The Real Challenge

Some factors are tolerated more freely than others.

The debate in at the MCG was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the top batters were unable from demonstrating their skill.

This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – assessing the wicket and responding accordingly. The two highest individual scores were made by world-class players. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.

Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective

Try telling the supporters who have suffered a long drought that this lacked spectacle.

In one section of the stadium, countless fans made noise and created an atmosphere, producing a festive mood in a stronghold of Australian cricket.

There was hope as the attack excelled, advantage when players fought back, and rapturous celebration when the result was secured.

Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches

The MCG has previous experience with pitch problems. Previously, a match there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.

That match was a marathon, with limited drama and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that previous match are polar opposites of the spectrum – neither the standard, yet historical weight can be ascribed to both.

Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.

"This isn't the end of the format at all," said a former player. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been experienced some genuine drama. Different entertainment."

Baby Steps: Building for the Future

In the preparation to this match, the leader talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.

The squad delivered for him, bringing back the joy to his face.

New faces stepped up with key contributions. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to ensure long-term futures, but something to use as a platform.

At the very least, this MCG win is added to other notable performances in dead rubbers.

As the supporters left into a stunning sunset, the team congregated on the field to begin their own enjoyment.

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