'Are You Not Entertained?' Why a 48-Hour Fixture Deserved Its Status as a Proper Test.

Within a showcase on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a neon pink suit performed in by the pop star. His show in front of a massive crowd of fans was hailed as a major hit.

Perhaps you don't enjoy his music. Maybe you feel he is the finest offering to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, acknowledging that some songs are belting while others are poor.

The central idea is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to produce literature or even the longest format.

The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game

The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on external factors.

The weather, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.

If the format is a form of art, the pitch is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.

An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test

The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reconstructed in an unusual manner.

It must be stated this is not a defence of the surface which resulted in a victory and the another short match of the Ashes battle.

Leaving 10mm of grass on the pitch, leading to a cascade of wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between bat and ball.

A Diverse Legacy: The Essence of Test Cricket

But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as inauthentic, is incorrect.

The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and ongoing. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Other times, it turns square on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.

The thrillers are particularly captivating owing to the patience committed elsewhere.

Problem Solving: The Real Challenge

Certain variables are embraced more easily than others.

The argument in during the match was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the top batters were unable from showcasing their talents.

This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and adapting accordingly. The top two individual scores were made by recognized batters. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.

Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective

Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered a long drought that this was not entertaining.

In a corner of the ground, a sea of people celebrated and created an atmosphere, fostering a party atmosphere in a heartland of Australian cricket.

There was belief as the fielding side surged, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the victory was secured.

Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches

The venue has a history with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.

That match was a grind, with few wickets and slow play. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are diametrically opposed points of the range – one is not more perfect, yet value can be found in both.

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

"This isn't the demise of the long game at all," commented a veteran. "The people who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been treated to some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."

Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope

In the lead-in to this match, the captain talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.

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

Emerging talents stepped up with vital performances. These are small positives, hardly enough to secure long-term futures, but a starting point to use as a platform.

At the very least, this Melbourne victory is added to other historic performances in dead rubbers.

As the crowd slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team gathered on the turf to start their own enjoyment.

Savour the moment, men. You've earned this one.