The Ashes is considered the greatest and most enduring rivalry in Test cricket. But only one of the four Tests held so far in this season’s edition has lasted five days. Two Tests — the opening game at Perth and more recently, Melbourne — ended in two days. The cricket may have been exciting (36 wickets falling) for some, but what about the paying public, who were expecting to watch five days of Test cricket?

One’s heart goes out to the spectators at Perth and Melbourne. Australia and England are known for taking the lead in innovation and ideating. But the bottom line here is that there was no one-day fixture to compensate for the deplorable early finish, caused by a poor Melbourne pitch that deserves some serious condemnation.