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Amazon announces local doco series The Test

Cricket doco on the Aussies rebuilding after a fall from grace becomes Amazon's third local production.

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A documentary series The Test: A New Era for Australia’s Team, following the Australian Men’s Cricket team, is officially the third local production for Amazon Prime.

Set to screen in 2020 it is produced by CA Films in partnership with Whooshka Media.

The series offers a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world’s best cricket teams fell from grace and was forced to reclaim their title and integrity.

“As we continue to increase production of Australian Amazon Original series, our goal is to tell local stories that resonate with our Prime members and we believe that The Test will do just that,” said James Farrell, Vice President of International Originals at Amazon Studios. “In working with Cricket Australia, we’ve captured the spirit of the nation’s sport that will be sure to delight both fans of the game as well as those who enjoy an amazing comeback story of redemption. We’re excited to launch this series exclusively for our Prime members in Australia and around the world.”

“Our national team, led by Tim Paine, Aaron Finch and Justin Langer, have been on a considerable journey over the past 18 months,” said Richard Ostroff, Head of Broadcast & Production at Cricket Australia. “The Test has captured the highs and lows of this story intimately, and we are thrilled to work with Amazon Prime Video to bring this story to cricket fans around the world.”

“Cricket is a game steeped in tradition, and the behind the scenes access the Australian Cricket team have provided for The Test is unprecedented.” said Adrian Brown, Director. “I can’t speak highly enough of the players and coaches involved. Having the opportunity to tell this story of resilience, character and achievement against-the-odds has been a privilege and I can’t wait to share it.”

Previously announced Australian originals include LOL: Last One Laughing, hosted and executive produced by Rebel Wilson, which filmed last month in Sydney and a series of ten stand-up specials filmed in September in Melbourne including Tom Gleeson, Judith Lucy, Celia Pacquola, Tommy Little.

Picking up immediately after the incident in South Africa that led to an outpouring of disappointment and shock around the world, The Test begins with the appointment of Justin Langer as coach and follows the Australian Men’s Cricket Team around the world. With unprecedented access, The Test gives viewers an inside look into the highs and lows of the long road back in the team’s fight to regain the respect of world cricket. From a tough run in the short-form of the game, to their first ever Test series loss to India on Australian soil, the fans journey with the team as they rally and rise to a successful World Cup campaign and battle against England for the 2019 Ashes series.

2 Responses

  1. Just hope that this is more credible that “United Passions” which won the Barry L. Bumstead award at the 36th Golden Raspberry Awards in 2015 (which grossed, and I am not making this up, US$918 in its opening weekend and in one located in Downtown Phoenix earned just US$9 and is considered one of the worst films ever made). But since this is a documentary and not a drama like United Passions, I think this will do a lot better.

  2. Amazon is really commissioning some real doozies in Australia. Feels so out of step with the quality they’re known for in the States, especially after cleaning out the last Emmys.

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