'Are You Not Entertained?' The Reason a 48-Hour Fixture Deserved Its Status as a Genuine Cricket Test.

In a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a neon pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His concert in front of a hundred thousand spectators was hailed as a major hit.

You might not appreciate his music. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are awful.

The central idea is that amusement can take many forms. You like what you like. There is not a single method to produce art or even the longest format.

The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket

Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon conditions.

The elements, the time of day, the ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the pitch.

If Test cricket is art, the pitch is the canvas on which the cricketers craft their legacy.

A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test

The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the great game broken apart and reassembled in an unusual manner.

It must be stated this is not a defence of the surface which yielded a win and the second two-day Test of the series.

Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, causing a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.

A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket

But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.

The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and still growing. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball does all sorts for the fast men. In contrast, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.

The exciting finishes are particularly captivating due to the time committed in other matches.

Adaptation: The Real Challenge

Certain variables are embraced more readily than others.

The argument in Melbourne was that the contest was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.

This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and adjusting accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by acknowledged players. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.

Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective

Try telling the fans who have experienced 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.

In one section of the MCG, thousands celebrated and chanted, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.

There was belief as the attack surged, advantage when players scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the result was secured.

Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches

The Melbourne has form with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a pitch with all the life of a a non-event.

That contest was a slog, with minimal action and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – neither perfect, yet historical weight can be ascribed to them.

At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the collective consciousness.

"This isn't the demise of Test cricket at all," commented a former player. "Fans who have been privileged to see these short time have been experienced some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."

Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope

In the build-up to this match, the leader talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.

The players responded for him, restoring the joy to his persona.

Different players performed with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term success, but something to build on.

At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other memorable performances in meaningless games.

As the supporters departed into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the outfield to begin their own celebrations.

Celebrate the win, men. You've earned this one.