[VIDEO] The Test Season 2 & 3 - Cricket Australia Documentaries

[Bilal Ahmad15]

The first season for 'The Test', a documentary following the Australian Cricket team, was about dealing with the loss of Steve Smith and David Warner after the South Africa series, and ends with them retaining the Ashes in 2019. Season one had eight episodes whilst season two only has four episodes.

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Season two begins with the 2021 - 2022 Ashes. I have seen all four episodes. And although I cant remember everything about season 1, basically I think season 1 was the better season. Main reasons being season 1 had a lot more dressing room content, and was really good to watch.

But season 2 is still a good season. In this season, they focus more on the families and personal lives of multiple players, with the players that got the most coverage were Test Captain Pat Cummins, David Warner, Steve Smith, and Im pretty sure Usman Khawaja actually had the most screen time (if not then cummins), which was surprising to me.

The few downsides to this season was it was only 4 episodes it should've been around 8 like the first season, and it was disappointing to see that they didn't document the 2021 and 2022 T20 WC.

What are your guys thoughts?

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

There were also players like Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Agar, who didnt even play a single match (that was documented in this season) that got way too much screen time, while players like Starc, and Hazlewood got less.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

The other thing I should've mentioned is the first two episodes I found sort of boring, simply because the 2021 - 2022 Ashes was so one sided and boring, it felt sort of useless when the "excitement" and big moments of that ashes series was shown, but at the same time you can understand that they have to do that.

 

[jeetu]

Season 2 was too short , they should have easily devoted more times to matches especially on away tours.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

It was fun but not as good as Season 1 which had quite a few spicy snippets and backstage interactions. I also was surprised that there was no mention of the T20 World Cup, yet an entire episode was spent on the Sri Lanka tour.

Biggest difference though was that Justin Langer (the star of the first season imo) was gone by the end of the first episode. And Andrew McDonald just came across as pretty boring, by-the-numbers type coach to me.

This season also spent way to much on marketing Pat Cummins as the next great Aussie captain. Felt a bit forced. As did the "we did such a noble thing by touring Pakistan and Sri Lanka" aspect.

I'd still say I enjoyed the Pakistan episode though. In one scene they perfectly captured what makes Babar Azam so great, through the words of the Australian players themselves.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This look into David Warner's journal was funny. There's a line in there that says "never touring the sub-continent again" that I LOLed at.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

‘The Test Season Three’ to Provide Inside Access to 2023 England Tour
Cricket Australia, Prime Video and Whooshka Media have announced the return of the highly popular documentary series The Test for what will be the most anticipated season so far.

The Test Season Three will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the Australian men’s team during their highly successful and often dramatic 2023 tour of England as they contest the ICC World Test Championship final against India and strive to retain the Ashes on foreign soil.

To be shown on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories in 2024, The Test Season Three provides unparalleled access to the Australian team during their triumph over Virat Kohli’s India in the ICC World Test Championship and the memorable Ashes retention.

Viewers will get an intimate account of Australia’s triumphs as well as rare insight into the challenges and pressure faced by the team as they take on two world class opponents before sometimes hostile crowds.

The Test Season Three is produced by Cricket Australia and Whooshka Media in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios.

Richard Ostroff, CA Head of Broadcasting and Production said:

“The third season of The Test captures the gripping tussle between Australia and India at the World Test Championship Final, and the extraordinary behind-the-scenes drama of the 2023 Ashes in England.

“Cricket fans in Australia and across the world will ride all the emotions and tight contests as our players battle it out on the biggest stages of all. This series will be the best yet.”

Hushidar Kharas, head of Prime Video Australia and New Zealand said:

“As a cricket fan, I couldn’t wait to see what happened when the unstoppable force of ‘BazBall’ batting came up against the best Test bowling lineup in the world.

“The 2023 Ashes were the most closely contested and memorable of recent times, and I am delighted to be able to relive them along with our customers in Australia and around the world.

“Prime Video is proud to have a long-standing relationship with Cricket Australia following the huge success of Seasons One and Two, and I cannot wait to see how directors Adrian Brown and Sheldon Wynne recount these iconic moments for the Australian cricket team.”

Adrian Brown and Sheldon Brown, from Whooskha Media said:

"The Test Season Two was hugely popular for audiences around the world, and we’re very excited to be returning for a third season with Prime Video and Cricket Australia.

“Given how dramatic the World Test Championship Final and The Ashes in England were, this season promises to share the riveting moments that took place behind the scenes, as well as the inspiring and emotional stories that show just how much this tour meant to our Australian men's cricket team.”

 

[BouncerGuy]

The trailer for the Season 3 of "THE TEST: DOCUMENTARY" is out now.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1787951791612850646

 

[Markhor]

Looks great. Didn't watch Season 2 as it didn't cover as compelling a period as Season 1.

This is worth watching for the 2023 Lord's Test bit alone.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Season 3 of The Test was pretty good.

This season focused on the WTC final with India and the 2023 Ashes. For me, this show is right up there with Drive to Survive and other great sports docuseries. It really gives a great glimpse/inside look into how the Australian cricket team functions. Its also thoroughly entertaining because it combines that with real life i.e. the cricket.

My only quip is that I wish they had captured Australia's 2023 WC run too. I feel like that was a massive missed opportunity to showcase a great story. Especially when you look at how Australia's WC campaign unfolded.