'Did It Not Captivate?' Why a Two-Day Fixture Deserved Its Status as a Genuine Test.

In a display cabinet on the third floor of the MCG rests a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by the pop star. His show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was seen as a major hit.

It's possible you like Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, admitting that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.

The central idea is that enjoyment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to create music or even the longest format.

The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket

The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.

The weather, the time of day, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the wicket.

If Test cricket is a form of art, the strip is the canvas on which the cricketers craft their legacy.

A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle

The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the great game dismantled and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.

It must be stated this is not a justification of the surface which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the contest.

Leaving excessive grass on the pitch, resulting in a cascade of wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.

A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket

But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is mistaken.

The long game is a varied portfolio, a long history and counting. At times, as seen at the MCG, the ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.

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

Problem Solving: The Real Challenge

Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.

The contention in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the top batters were hindered from playing their natural game.

The format is about problem solving – reading the situation and adapting accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by recognized batters. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.

Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited

Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.

Among the crowd of the stadium, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, generating a festive mood in a bastion of national pride.

There was optimism as the bowlers excelled, advantage when batters fought back, and unconditional love when the victory was secured.

Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches

The MCG has form with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.

That match was a marathon, with limited drama and slow play. The two-day game and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the scale – one is not more perfect, yet historical weight can be attached to each.

Four Tests into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the memory.

"Far from being the end of the format at all," observed a veteran. "The people who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. A unique show."

Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead

In the preparation to this Test, the leader talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.

The players protected him, restoring the joy to his countenance.

Emerging talents delivered with vital performances. These are baby steps, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but something to build on.

In the end, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in meaningless games.

As the supporters departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad congregated on the field to commence their own festivities.

Savour the moment, boys. It's well deserved.