'Was That Not a Show?' Why a 48-Hour Match Deserved Its Status as a Authentic Cricket Test.

In a glass case on the upper level of the MCG rests a neon pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. His show in front of a hundred thousand attendees was seen as a triumph.

You might not appreciate Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music known to man. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, admitting that some hits are belting while others are poor.

The central idea is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to craft art or even the longest format.

The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game

The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by external factors.

The elements, the session, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the wicket.

If the long game is a form of art, the pitch is the canvas on which the athletes create their art.

An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle

The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport broken apart and stuck back together in abstract form.

Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the surface which yielded a win and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.

Having a thick layer on the surface, resulting in a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.

A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket

But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is mistaken.

The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.

The thrillers are even more exciting due to the patience devoted during quieter periods.

Problem Solving: The Real Challenge

Some factors are accepted more readily than others.

The argument in at the MCG was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were unable from playing their natural game.

The format is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the situation and responding accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by acknowledged batters. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.

Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective

Try telling the devotees who have experienced a long drought that this wasn't compelling.

In one section of the ground, countless fans celebrated and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of Australian cricket.

There was belief as the attack dominated, advantage when players scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the victory was confirmed.

Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches

The Melbourne has form with controversial surfaces. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.

That match was a grind, with limited drama and slow play. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – one is not more perfect, yet historical weight can be found in them.

Four Tests into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the history books.

"This isn't the demise of the long game at all," said a past champion. "The people who have been fortunate to see these two days have been given some fantastic sport. An unusual spectacle."

Signs of Progress: Building for the Future

In the lead-in to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.

The team delivered for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his persona.

Different players stepped up with vital performances. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.

At the very least, this triumph is added to other memorable performances in meaningless games.

As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the squad assembled on the outfield to commence their own enjoyment.

Enjoy the drink, men. You've earned this one.