'Are You Not Entertained?' Why a 48-Hour Fixture Remained Every Bit a Proper Cricket Test.

Displayed inside a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the MCG rests a neon pink suit performed in by the pop star. The concert in front of a hundred thousand attendees was considered a success.

It's possible you appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, conceding that some tracks are fantastic while others are terrible.

The key argument is that entertainment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to create literature or even five-day cricket.

The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket

Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.

The climate, the session, the red ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the playing surface.

If the format is art, the wicket is the foundation on which the athletes create their art.

An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle

The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport dismantled and reassembled in a bizarre shape.

Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the surface which yielded a triumph and the another short match of the series.

Having 10mm of grass on the surface, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.

A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket

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

The format is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and counting. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. In contrast, it turns square on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.

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

Problem Solving: The Real Challenge

Some factors are tolerated more freely than others.

The debate in Melbourne was that the contest was tipped too far towards the attack. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.

Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the situation and adapting appropriately. The best individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.

Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View

Try telling the fans who have endured 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.

In one section of the ground, countless fans made noise and created an atmosphere, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.

There was belief as the bowlers excelled, impetus when batters fought back, and rapturous celebration when the victory was secured.

Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches

The Melbourne has previous experience with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a match there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a damp squib.

That match was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that previous match are extreme ends of the range – one is not more perfect, yet value can be found in both.

Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the memory.

"This isn't the demise of the format at all," commented a past champion. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these short time have been given some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."

Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope

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

The team protected him, reinstating the smile to his persona.

Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are small positives, hardly enough to secure long-term futures, but a foundation to build on.

At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.

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

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