The Test (Season 3)
Introduction
There is a reason why the Australian Cricket Team, both Men and Women are regarded as the best team in the world. It is because of their never give up attitude, often bringing out the best when stakes are high and odds are against them. I still remember the quote of the current Aussie Captain Pat Cummins after they lifted the 50 Over World Cup this year, that the greatest joy lies in silencing a capacity crowd of 150,000! So the moment you block the part of the mind that would offer you doubts, is the day that you give yourself the best chance to be invincible on a given day!
Cricket is often regarded as a way of life wherein there will be ups and downs in the game, just like in life. But if you are willing to persevere and hang in there, times would change often leading to new opportunities. And that is what the first season of the English Documentary, The Test had to offer. Shot at a time when the Aussies were just reeling from the hostility that they faced in the 2019 Ashes, you were privy to the dressing room environment of an Aussie team that refused to bow down despite all odds staked against them. What that season did provide was a glimpse into the Aussie mindset of eliminating the ‘outside noise’, a term used but not entirely followed by the cricketers everywhere else in the world. And while the second season of The Test wasn’t anywhere near to its first season, I was still hopeful of a comeback in the much awaited third season which finally started streaming on Amazon Prime from Friday. So then does the third season of The Test manage to impress, let’s find out.
What's Good
The third season of The Test focuses on the UK summer which played host to The Australian Cricket Team in 2023. The setting was months before the 50 over world cup and at the cusp of the World Test Championship(WTC) Final also featuring India who were touted as one of the favourites to lift the trophy. The eventual conclusion would featuring five more test matches of the Ashes that were to immediately follow the WTC Final. And also instantaneously, the show marked a drastic improvement from its second season that seemed a little too scattered by trying to incorporate multiple tours in a short duration of the show. The course correction here lead to a much more focused approached as the Aussie team began their surge by first lifting the WTC trophy and later on retaining the Urn by beating the Bazball centered cricket endorsed by the England Team.
But what really stood out for me where the vulnerabilities that were showcased behind closed doors even by the members of the team that the world regards as world champions. There were bouts of insecurities in terms of performance that included fear of failure before rising above like a phoenix from the ashes(and in the Ashes). The recall value as narrated through the gaze of the players added to the authenticity of the drama thereby creating a human touch to the proceedings. Amidst the intensity, you are also a silent observer of the families of the players and how much they mean to them(while each of them is a support pillar in so many ways, the Usman Khwaja and Pat Cummins incidents really had me in tears), which would also be true for all players around the world during long tours. And I must say that there were some genuine emotions floating around every now and then as ai found myself thoroughly engaged in the proceedings.
What fascinated me was having the opportunity to observe the dressing room of Australia even as they moved together as a group while facing challenges that included the loss of a major player due to an onfield injury or simply the meticulous planning that was endorsed off the field. At no point did I feel that there was panic, while on the other hand, there were players at different junctures that did put their hand up in order to perform. The likes of Nathan Lyon literally on crutches before the start of the day, coming in to bat was such an inspirational moment, as was the likes of Mitchell Marsh completely written off earlier, coming in as a replacement and scoring a hundred on his comeback. Phenomenal was the word, something that also reflects of the DNA of the team that doesn’t know how to lose. And sure, there were test losses here but as they say you only lose when you give up mentally, which has never been the case with the Aussies!
What's Not So Good
My criticism towards the series is on two accounts, something that was prevalent briefly in the first season too. I did think that the show did end rather abruptly. This was also true in the events leading up to the finale which did move at a break neck pace, as opposed to halting and allowing the viewers to engage with the proceedings. This was particularly true because I being an avid cricket follower, knew exactly how the show was going to end but was more interested in the dressing room talks which did get a little brief towards the end. Another minor drawback was that the players of the opposition could have been better laid out by also pointing the discussion towards someone like Ben Stokes who was phenomenal in the series(something that was addressed in the first season with the likes of Pujara and Virat Kohli being discussed). A little more emphasis on Bazball wouldn’t have hurt either. But other than that, this show stages a remarkable comeback in its third season.
My Take
We all know that you cannot ever write off an Australian team ever! But what caught my eye was the leadership of the group which was so pragmatic even while dealing with the biggest players. It is rightly said that the Aussies are result oriented and do not indulge in giving emphasis on players by giving them a Godly status. Which is why my respect for Pat Cummins as a captain has gone up by several notches. From being given captaincy following a controversial exit by the former captain Tim Paine, the man has stood the test of time and won almost everything that has come his way. Be it the Home and Away Ashes or the WTC Final, the 50 Over World Cup or now standing at the cusp of winning the 17th edition of the IPL, the man and his charisma are leaving a lasting impact. And by the looks of it, he is quite an affable figure who strikes a friendly bond with his teammates, while also backing up with his performance to command that respect. His episode regarding his family, and his mother in particular has made me realise that he is a warm and a caring personality off the field too. Australia is in safe hands under him as the Captain! The DNA of the Aussies is a vital ingredient for competition in world cricket, and I hope it inspires all other teams at the biggest stage in June, The T20 world cup in the US and Caribbean!
Conclusion
The third season of The Test is an intriguing case study in the dressing room psyche of the Australian Cricket Team, that is regarded as one of the best in the world! The series is emotional and inspirational in equal measures while staging a remarkable comeback from its insipid previous season. Available on Amazon Prime and Highly Recommended!
