KEY POINTS:
The Indians started it; New Zealand's performance on day one at the Gabba reinforced it.
No matter the outcome in Brisbane - despite the sterling first-day efforts of the bowlers New Zealand were not strong enough to grasp a wonderful opportunity yesterday - there are clear signs the era of Australia's iron grip on test cricket is over.
Since taking over from the fading West Indies in the mid-1990s, under Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, Australia ruled the five-day game, crushingly formidable at home; too good on the road.
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.
But there is a substantial difference between being talented and combative, and outstanding and ruthless. And when you possess three all-time greats in Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath it helps too.
Ponting doesn't have that luxury now. Things in a pickle? Throw the ball to "Warney" or "Pigeon". Trailing by 100? Step up "Gilly" and in an hour the door had been firmly shut on the opposition. No more.
India, who have won all three of those tests since January, prized open Australia's grip on the test game; New Zealand's bowlers on Thursday should have sent a clear message to the other nations - don't fear the baggy green.
Australia may well go on to win this test. You'd certainly doubt it will run the full five days. But the point is they were put under the hammer by a fine, concerted bowling effort which repeatedly asked questions of Australia's batsmen.
The bowlers did not waste an opportunity handed them by captain Dan Vettori's correct call at the toss. No batsman got a gentle ride.
Australia are at ease when bossing the game, be it by aggressive bowling or batting aimed at putting the bowler in his place.
Tim Southee, Iain O'Brien and co gave the Australian batsmen a thorough examination and were rewarded for it. O'Brien may not be everyone's idea of a cutting-edge third seamer, but Vettori has his back.
The captain liked the stout-hearted reliability O'Brien offered in England and Bangladesh this year. In Brisbane he added penetration with a lovely ball to dismiss Andrew Symonds.
There was much to admire about New Zealand's bowling.
Back to Southee. Still 19, the selectors should feel emboldened by their judgment on him last season. His talent doesn't come along every summer. The panel would be wise to keep an eye on his contemporaries. You wouldn't want anyone slipping through the cracks.
