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

In a showcase on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a electric pink outfit performed in by the entertainer. His concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a major hit.

Perhaps you don't like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, admitting that some tracks are belting while others are awful.

The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is not a single method to craft literature or even the longest format.

The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game

The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on the environment.

The climate, the time of day, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the wicket.

If the long game is art, the wicket is the canvas on which the players craft their legacy.

A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle

The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the established format broken apart and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.

It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which resulted in a win and the second two-day Test of the contest.

Having a thick layer on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel 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 illegitimate, is mistaken.

The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.

The close matches are even more exciting because of the patience committed in other matches.

Adjustment: The True Test

Specific conditions are embraced more freely than others.

The contention in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were hindered from showcasing their talents.

Test cricket is about problem solving – assessing the wicket and adjusting appropriately. The best individual contributions were made by world-class players. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.

Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View

Attempt to convince the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.

In a corner of the MCG, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a stronghold of Australian cricket.

There was optimism as the bowlers dominated, momentum when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the win was achieved.

Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches

The venue has a history with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a match there featured a strip with the excitement of a a damp squib.

That contest was a slog, with minimal action and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the scale – both are not perfect, yet significance can be attached to both.

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

"It's not the death of the format at all," said a past champion. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these short time have been experienced some fantastic sport. A unique show."

Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead

In the lead-in to this match, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.

The squad protected him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.

Different players delivered with vital performances. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to secure long-term stability, but something to develop from.

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

As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the team congregated on the field to commence their own celebrations.

Celebrate the win, lads. It's well deserved.