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Ricky Ponting celebrates - Source: Reuters -
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The Black Caps have not won a Test series in Australia in over 20 years but they are not alone, reports tvnz.co.nz's Chris Matthews.
All great legacies must come to an end.
The great West Indian team, that dominated the 1970s and 80s, with intimation and aggression went through 16 home series without defeat.
A remarkable dynasty began in 1973 and unleashed onto the cricketing world such names as Vivian Richards, Clive Lloyd, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding and Malcolm Marshall.
Even as the great team eventually fell away in the 90s players such as Richie Richardson, Brian Lara, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose maintained their proud home record until 1995.
Ironically it was an Australian team that possessed the firepower of Shane Warne and Glen McGrath that finally crashed the Calypso party.
As the Caribbean reign faded to the history books, the great Australian team began their almighty dominance and while they have suffered the odd overseas defeat, they have not been beaten in a series at home since 1993.
That is 27 home series without defeat and only three times in this period have they drawn a Test series; to South Africa (93/94), New Zealand (01/02) and India (03/04) respectively.
The Black Caps royal chance
The 2001 class of Black Caps had a royal chance of stealing a series victory. The 0-0 score could have been so easily 2-0 to the Stephen Fleming led side.
A brave Steve Waugh declaration on the final day of the first Test in Brisbane gave New Zealand a virtual one day international chase of 284 in 57 over's to go one up in the series.
A sixth-wicket partnership of 51 off just 39 balls between Chris Cairns and Craig McMillan gave the Black Caps a sniff. But shrewd bowling by Glen McGrath, where he bowled an over of short deliveries outside leg stump, and a fired up Brett Lee prevented New Zealand stealing victory. They fell just 10 runs short.
While the second Test in Hobart was crashed by rain, the third and final Test in Perth has gone down as one of the greatest draws in Test history.
The Black Caps were on the front foot from ball one with an unprecedented quartet of first innings centuries to Lou Vincent on debut, Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle and Adam Parore.
The final day ebbed and flowed, back and forward with both sides enterprising in their pursuit of a result.
A couple of contentious umpiring decisions in favour of Australia arguably saved the day for them but a blockbusting Adam Gilchrist century very nearly elevated the home side to a record fourth innings chase.
But 0-0 it remained and in the past 15 summers this was the closest Australia has gone to suffering defeat in their own backyard.
"Times they're a changing"
But as a certain someone once said: "Times they're a changing."
As the cricketing world has just witnessed in India, the Aussie juggernaut no longer has penetration at the crease and in fact, Brett Lee and Stuart Clark aside, their bowling attack looks rather ordinary.
They still possess a daunting batting order but one feels if you can get rid of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey cheaply, you are in with a shot.
Ponting has been assertive in his words this week, a rearguard action that is big in bravado, and at the same time, defensive in fear.
He has predicted that his side will go through their home summer undefeated against New Zealand and South Africa and his side will at the very least need to win both series to keep the Australian public in check.
The Black Caps can expect a backlash but they have an opportunity to further drive the boot into a fragile unit.
Daniel Vettori's side though, as he has admitted, is still a few seasons away from reaching their full potential.
Only Vettori and his deputy Brendon McCullum would walk into the Australian team at present, so the onus is really on them to deliver.
The Black Caps would be rank outsiders at best to shatter Australia's streak at home but the South African's later in the summer are a formidable threat.
They have been cruising under the radar in over the last couple of seasons while India and Australia have captured the attention of the cricket world.
Their batting order is as strong as Australia's and in ICC Test player of year, Dale Styen they have the deadliest fast bowler going around.
He is an unknown quantity to the Australians and expects him to make some serious inroads.
They still lack a quality spin bowler though and this ultimately may be the difference but as India have shown, Australia without Warne and McGrath are very beatable.
