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

In a showcase on the upper level of the MCG sits a electric pink suit donned by Robbie Williams. The performance in front of a massive crowd of fans was hailed as a triumph.

You might not enjoy Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music known to man. Or you could adopt a balanced view, acknowledging that some tracks are fantastic while others are poor.

The central idea is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is not a single method to create literature or even the longest format.

The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket

The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon external factors.

The elements, the time of day, the red ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the pitch.

If the format is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the foundation on which the players craft their legacy.

A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match

The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the established format taken to pieces and stuck back together in an unusual manner.

This is not a endorsement of the pitch which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the series.

Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than two days, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.

A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket

But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is mistaken.

The long game is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and ongoing. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.

The thrillers are even more exciting due to the investment committed during quieter periods.

Problem Solving: The True Test

Specific conditions are accepted more freely than others.

The debate in during the match was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were prevented from demonstrating their skill.

This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and responding effectively. The two highest individual contributions were made by acknowledged stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.

Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited

Go and inform the fans who have endured years of defeat that this was not entertaining.

Among the crowd of the MCG, countless fans made noise and chanted, fostering a carnival vibe in a bastion of Australian cricket.

There was belief as the attack excelled, impetus when batters responded, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.

Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches

The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a damp squib.

That fixture was a slog, with limited drama and interminable tedium. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet historical weight can be ascribed to both.

Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.

"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been treated to some genuine drama. A unique show."

Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope

In the build-up to this match, the leader talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.

The squad responded for him, reinstating the joy to his face.

Emerging talents delivered with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term success, but a foundation to build on.

Ultimately, this MCG win joins other historic performances in similar circumstances.

As the fans left into a beautiful night, the squad congregated on the turf to begin their own enjoyment.

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