Is Australia's iron grip over?
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
Getty Images
The Indians started it; New Zealand's performance on day one at the Gabba reinforced it. There are clear signs the era of Australia's iron grip on test cricket is over, writes David Leggat in the New Zealand Herald.
Consider the numbers.
Remember their 16-match winning run from October 1999 to February 2001 under the iron hand of Steve Waugh?
Or how Ricky Ponting steered Australia to 20 wins from 21 successive tests - with one drawn - between October 2005 against the ICC XI to the ugly win over India at Sydney last January?
In nine tests since, Australia have lost three, drawn four and won two. They are still tough opponents, loaded with talented cricketers and will continue to win far more than they lose.
Mathew Varghese is sub-editor (stats) at Cricinfo