'Did It Not Captivate?' Why a 48-Hour Fixture Deserved Its Status as a Proper Test Match.

Within a glass case on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a electric pink ensemble donned by the pop star. The show in front of a hundred thousand attendees was seen as a triumph.

Perhaps you don't enjoy Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music in history. Or you could adopt a balanced view, conceding that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.

The key argument is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to create literature or even Test cricket.

The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket

The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on conditions.

The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the playing surface.

If Test cricket is art, the strip is the canvas on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.

An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test

The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the established format dismantled and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.

Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the pitch which produced a triumph and the another short match of the contest.

Having excessive grass on the pitch, causing 36 wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not an even battle between bat and ball.

A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket

But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.

The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and ongoing. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.

The thrillers are even more exciting owing to the patience committed in other matches.

Adjustment: The True Test

Certain variables are embraced more freely than others.

The debate in during the match was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the best players were unable from demonstrating their skill.

This level of cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and adapting effectively. The best individual innings were made by acknowledged stars. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.

Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View

Attempt to convince the fans who have experienced 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.

In one section of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, fostering a carnival vibe in a bastion of Australian cricket.

There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, advantage when batters fought back, and pure joy when the win was confirmed.

Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches

The MCG has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.

That match was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that previous match are polar opposites of the spectrum – both are not ideal, yet value can be attached to them.

At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the memory.

"This isn't the demise of the long game at all," said a former player. "The people who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been treated to some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."

Baby Steps: Looking Ahead

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

The players protected him, bringing back the smile to his countenance.

Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to secure long-term futures, but a foundation to build on.

At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other notable performances in similar circumstances.

As the fans departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players assembled on the outfield to start their own celebrations.

Celebrate the win, boys. This victory was hard-fought.