In a world in the depths of a chilling crisis none of us had ever imagined, the suspending of sporting competitions means nothing.
Job losses and stand downs with no end in sight has ripped the heart out of people’s lives. Not for sport lost but for personal circumstance.
Others are not impacted at all and some not so much. There is not broad brush to paint this picture. While most of Europe is shut people are at home in self isolation and are watching an increasing amount of TV.
A companion to most, the giggle box is where we get the news of horrors present and solace in escape. And so it is that we as a county of sports fanatics can turn onto numerous OTT streaming platforms to be entertained in dark times.
Amazon has a rich history in producing quality documentaries in their All or Nothing series where they followed Manchester City and numerous NFL teams.
‘The Test’ adds to that list. The star is new coach Justin Langer who is praised as a gritty left handed opening bat, who through skill and resilience played over 100 Tests in the baggy green.
A successful Scorchers BBL coach, he was tapped on the shoulder after Darren ‘Boof’ Lehmann decided to pull up stumps after Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft pushed the trolley down the tradesman aisle at Bunnings.
Following the team through a home series and tours of India and the UK, all the members of the squad use candour and play their part in weaving a rich portrait of how life is on the road and in the exalted circles of the national team.
This is not spin. This is raw and an eye opener even to someone who follows the game closely. While Langer is the star, Nathan Lyon is the face of humility in a squad of millionaires.
The GOAT is as respected as any and is a surprisingly eloquent speaker as he presents Travis Head with his cap and leads the team in “Under the Southern Cross I Stand”.
Well edited and narrated, this gives us a not so much fly-on-the-wall experience but a slap to the chops if we thought cricket had lost its way.
Banter but don’t abuse is the Langer mantra which the team has embraced. Superb viewing even if cricket is not your go. With no live sport on, this hits the mark extremely well.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Is it just like cricketing MAFS?
joss heddle-bacon
Roar Rookie
I agree it was well worth a watch, but I felt it could've given a more rounded picture. Two episodes isn't enough to give audiences a picture of an Ashes tour to England and it didn't answer the burning question of what is David Warner really like as a person? The only parts of the series that felt like CA hadn't influenced were the sections about Khawaja and also the part about the bromance between Zampa and Stoinis. There was way too much focus on Kholi, which is surely just a way to get Indian viewers to watch the series.
matth
Roar Guru
It is definitely spin. Apart from Usman Khawaja, no dissenting voices or disagreements or arguments were shown, in a group of competitive men under extreme pressure away from home for months on end. I enjoyed it and it did provide some great insights. Langer and Paine come across well (as you’d expect). But if you want a rounded picture I’d suggest you watch this and also read Geoff Lemon’s excellent Steve Smith’s Men as a companion piece. It details the causes and events that led to Sandpapergate and also puts all in one place the arrogance and nepotism at the heart of Cricket Australia.
BlakeW
Roar Rookie
CA actually co-produced the series, so those points don't come as a total shock. You're seeing exactly what they want you to see.
Tony Tea
Roar Rookie
One, The Test is not as hard hitting as it likes to claim; and two, it feels like it has CA's seal of approval. One and two are not necessarily unconnected.