'Are You Not Entertained?' Why a Two-Day Test Deserved Its Status as a Proper Test Match.

Displayed inside a showcase on the upper level of the MCG rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was seen as a triumph.

You might not like his music. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, admitting that some hits 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 universal formula to create music or even five-day cricket.

The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format

The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon conditions.

The weather, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.

If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the canvas on which the athletes craft their legacy.

A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test

The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the great game taken to pieces and reconstructed in an unusual manner.

Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the pitch which resulted in a win and the second two-day Test of the series.

Leaving 10mm of grass on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not an even battle between offense and defense.

A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket

But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as inauthentic, is mistaken.

The format is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and still growing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the ball does all sorts for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.

The close matches are particularly captivating due to the time made elsewhere.

Adaptation: The True Test

Specific conditions are embraced more freely than others.

The argument in during the match was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were hindered from playing their natural game.

This level of cricket is about finding solutions – assessing the wicket and adjusting effectively. The best individual contributions were made by acknowledged players. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.

Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View

Go and inform the fans who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.

In a corner of the stadium, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, fostering a festive mood in a heartland of sport.

There was belief as the bowlers excelled, momentum when the top order fought back, and pure joy when the win was confirmed.

Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches

The Melbourne has form with difficult wickets. In the past, a match there featured a pitch with the character of a a damp squib.

That fixture was a marathon, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – neither the standard, yet historical weight can be attached to each.

Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the history books.

"Far from being the end of the long game at all," said a former player. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these two days have been treated to some fantastic sport. A unique show."

Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope

In the build-up to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.

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

Different players stepped up with vital performances. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to secure long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.

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

As the fans departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad gathered on the field to begin their own festivities.

Enjoy the drink, lads. It's well deserved.