JUST like an exquisite Ricky Ponting cover drive, the timing of three sporting documentaries couldn't be any sweeter.
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While the majority of sport across the world is in shutdown, we have been treated to some brilliant inner sanctum sporting looks of late.
Amazon Prime's The Test is a behind-the-scenes look at the Australian men's cricket team like never before, picking up the story on the heels of the ball tampering scandal in South Africa in February of 2018 through to the retaining of the Ashes in England in September of 2019.
New coach Justin Langer trying to find the right balance of tough love is fascinating to watch; while the scenes in the Australian dressing room at Lord's after the blow Steve Smith took to the head from a Joffra Archer bouncer - "We need someone out there big time," says a concerned Steve Waugh - and the closing stages and aftermath of the "Ben Stokes" Test at Headingley that Australia lost by one wicket are among the most gripping of the eight-part series.
While The Test is a must-watch for any sports fan, not just cricket fanatics, the second season of Sunderland 'Til I Die was released on Netflix earlier this month.
Like The Test, once you flick Sunderland 'Til I Die on you can't turn if off as you are taken into the world of English soccer, both on and off the field, and swept up in the passion of the success-starved working class fans - "Why is it never us celebrating," says one long-time supporter in tears at Wembley Stadium after a trophy chance goes begging.
Season one comes off the back of Sunderland being relegated from Premier League to The Championship (which could be likened to an AFL team being relegated to the VFL), with the fly-on-the-wall look at the frantic nature of executives trying to lock in last-minute deals in the trade window, managers under pressure and the emotion the supporters have for their fledgling club making for a riveting series.
If you haven't seen season two yet I won't spoil it, but with new owner Stewart Donald and director Charlie Methven now running the club you certainly get an understanding of the business of sport. Again, you don't need to be a soccer fan to be engrossed by the series, which provides 14 episodes to help offset the sporting boredom.
And now us sporting fans are about to be treated to what shapes as another stunning sporting documentary to delve into - The Last Dance on ESPN and Netflix detailing over 10 episodes Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls' run at a third-straight NBA championship during the 1997-98 season.
Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, NBA in the '90s... say no more.
And if nothing else during the sporting shutdown there's ample opportunity to take in some of the more obscure sports - Putt Putt Championships, World Sign Spinning Championship, World Sport Stacking Championship, European TramDriver Championship, Classic Tetris World Championship, Spikeball College Championship and Hot Dog Eating Championships among some of the re-run offerings from ESPN of late.
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