Around halfway through the second episode of the latest season of The Test, the cricketing drama escalates dramatically. English batter Jonny Bairstow ducks a bouncer, the ball is collected by the keeper, and Bairstow strolls out of his crease. It seems routine, typical of any Test match moment. However, the tension is heightened by the background music, making viewers anticipate an upcoming twist.
Indeed, the twist arrives. Bairstow, assuming the over has concluded, ventures out of his crease. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Alex Carey seizes the moment, launching the ball at the stumps and claiming a dismissal. Carey recalls succinctly in the docuseries, “Sort of within one ball yeah, it happened.”
The crowd at Lord’s Cricket Ground erupts, chanting, “Same old Aussies, always cheating,” as a dejected Bairstow leaves the field. This moment is akin to a high-energy interval in a blockbuster film, captivating the audience and leaving them eager for more as they head for a brief intermission.
The current season of The Test, a sports docuseries centered on the Australian men’s cricket team, is filled with such compelling moments. Following Bairstow’s controversial runout, Alex Carey is vilified by the English public, affecting him deeply, which his teammate Steve Smith reveals in the documentary. This series offers a window into the mental and emotional impact of cricket’s high-stakes moments on players.
The show almost mirrors the dynamics of a war movie, given the Test format’s nature of spanning five days. Each day and session presents unique events making it special, and at times, these moments spill into the next day, creating ongoing battles.
. An instance of this ongoing drama is the contest between Australian bowlers and English openers at Old Trafford, highlighting the thrilling Bazball methodology – an aggressive, ultra-positive approach to Test cricket. This aggressive style injects new excitement into what some may consider a staid format.
Flashbacks, often a drag in films, serve a crucial role in this sports documentary, providing essential context and enhancing the drama. Take the example of Travis Head, who, after a long hiatus due to his wedding, returns spectacularly in the World Test Championship against India. Another gripping narrative is that of Nathan Lyon, sidelined by a calf injury, making a brave attempt to bat under dire circumstances and subsequently watching the rest of the series from his drawing room in Australia while his teammates battle it out in England.
Sheldon Wynne and Adrian Brown, the directors of The Test, skillfully capture the exhilarating highs and painful lows of the cricketing world. A prime example is the Australians’ dramatic fall in the final Ashes Test at the Oval after being poised for victory. The seamless editing is crucial for such documentaries, and the talented editing team behind The Test ensures that each episode is a compelling watch. The series is peppered with insightful quotes like Marnus Labuschagne’s, “Cricket is a game of small margins. You can feel like you’re on top and it can flip in a second.”
While Season 3 may not possess the same allure as the inaugural season, which focused on the team’s image rehabilitation post the infamous ball-tampering scandal, it offers its own array of thrilling moments. Many fans might wish that a documentary crew had followed the Australian ODI World Cup campaign as well, providing a glimpse into the journey of Pat Cummins’ winning squad that silenced the Indian crowd in the final match.
Despite this, the current season of The Test remains a gripping and exhilarating watch. Its narrative, filled with high stakes, dramatic turns, and significant lessons, is bound to appeal to cricket enthusiasts and casual spectators alike.
The Test Season 3 is currently available for streaming on Prime Video, inviting viewers into the intense and captivating world of international cricket.
