The end of the end?

Surely, this must be the end. The series win for the Proteas reaffirmed to the world that the final chapter of the end of the Aussie dominance was over. Critics and fans alike are unanimous in accepting the fall of the Empire. Mohali Test is regarded by many as the ' beginning of the end' of Oz dominance. Those who endorse the view that the Mohali Test was indeed the beginning of the end must get their brains checked. Nothing can be further from truth. Empires are not built overnight nor can they fall within a week. One has to go back to the 2006-07 Ashes to trace the beginning of the decline. It was always going to be difficult to find another Langer or a Martyn, forget replacing Warne or Mcgrath.

Here is my pick for the 3 important phases or chapters in the 'end of the Aussie dominance'.

1. The retirements of Warne, Mcgrath, Langer and Martyn all in a single series should have had an immediate impact. But it didn't show on the results. It was mainly aided by mediocre opposition and absence of quality checker-Test matches (Aus played only 3 tests in 2007 after the Ashes). Mind you, they were yet to play India or SA for a full Test series. The aura was intact and nobody was complaining.
2. Sydney test fiasco and its aftermath- this was the turning point. Symonds-Bhajji saga dominated the Australian and Indian media for more than a week and the scars it left on Australia were never to be erased. Indians came back strongly and conquered their prized fortress -Perth. It started (not a coincidence) the decline of Hayden. Symonds was never the same force post-Sydney. Also whatever Chappellis or Warnies might say, Haddin is no Gilchrist.Australians have now understood the significance of Gilchrist.

3. The year ender- India and SA series loss. When the Australians arrived in India, they were more vulnerable than ever before. It was the first time in more than a decade that the aussies were starting a series as underdogs. Dhoni's men won it convincingly. But the best was yet to come. Smith's men showed the world who among the two ( Ind SA) are better placed to dispatch Australia from the top spot. The comeback at MCG and the chase at Perth would be a part of South African cricketing folklore in years to come.

Enough of the analysis! Its time for us to rejoice, and we mortals wait with bated breath to see which of two men- Smith or Dhoni win the battle for immorality.