The Test, known as The Test: A New Era for Australia's Team in its first season, is an Australian docu-series, produced by Amazon Studios for Amazon Prime Video,[1] and co-produced by Cricket Australia.[2] The first season was released on Prime Video on 12 March 2020 and consists of 8 episodes.[3] A second season, consisting of 4 episodes, was released on 13 January 2023.[4] A 3-episode third season was released on 24 May 2024.[5]
The docu-series follows the Australian men's cricket team. The first season follows the team's path to redemption under the leadership of captain Tim Paine and head coach Justin Langer in the 18 months after the 2018 Australian ball-tampering scandal.[6][7] The second season follows the team after the exit of Paine as captain and the subsequent departure of Langer at the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022.[4] The third season follows the team in England during the 2023 Ashes series.[8]
An edited, feature-length version of the first season aired on the Seven Network on 4 October 2020.[9]
Synopsis
Season 1
The first season is a behind-the-scenes look at the Australian men's team's fall from grace and its path to regain its integrity in the 18 months after the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.[2]
A few weeks later, former cricketer Justin Langer is announced by Cricket Australia as the new head coach. The episode ends with the promise of a better future under the leadership of Paine and Langer, who introduce an ethical code of conduct within the Australian setup as well as the gesture of shaking hands with the opposing team before the commencement of a match as a mark of respect and good sportsmanship.
The second season has four episodes and follows the team during the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, which sees the resignation of captain Tim Paine for improper conduct off the field as well as the departure of head coach Justin Langer amongst rumours of player dissatisfaction with his leadership style. During this period the team takes on England in the 2021–22 Ashes series and travels to Pakistan for the first time in over two decades, as well as drawing a test series against Sri Lanka.[4]
Season 3
The third season has three episodes and follows the team in England during June and July 2023 as they take on India in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final before competing in the 2023 Ashes series where they face a resurgent England and their new and aggressive "Bazball" playing style.[8]