The Test (Australian TV series)

Synopsis

The first season opens with the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that shook Australian cricket, showing the press conferences and bans imposed on Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft. Head coach Darren Lehmann resigns, and Tim Paine becomes captain. Justin Langer is appointed head coach, and together they introduce an ethical code of conduct and a pre-match handshake gesture to promote sportsmanship. The series then covers the next 18 months from the team's perspective, including draws against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, India's first Test series win on Australian soil, Australia's first win against Sri Lanka, and tours to India for ODIs and Twenty20 matches. Smith and Warner return before the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England. The final two episodes focus on the 2019 Ashes series, documenting Smith being hit on the neck by a bouncer during the Second Test and Australia's near win in the Third Test without him. The season concludes with Australia retaining the Ashes urn by winning the Fourth Test. The second season, with four episodes, follows the team from late 2021 into early 2022, covering Tim Paine's resignation due to off-field misconduct and Justin Langer's departure amid rumours of player dissatisfaction. During this period, the team plays the 2021–22 Ashes series against England, travels to Pakistan for the first time in over two decades, and draws a Test series against Sri Lanka.