The first season centers on the aftermath of the 2018 "sandpapergate" ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, which saw captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner banned from the sport. Tasked with a massive "rescue mission," new head coach and captain Tim Paine aimed to rebuild the team's integrity and elite status. Season 1 Highlights (2018–2019)

Langer and Paine introduced a new ethical code of conduct, emphasizing "character over cover drives".

Reviewers from The Guardian and IMDb have praised the series for its unprecedented, "fly-on-the-wall" access to dressing room meetings and personal player struggles, making it a compelling study of leadership under pressure. The Test: A New Era for Australia's Team - IMDb