On the verge of being axed for the second Test, Southee picked up four key Australian wickets on the opening day at Seddon Park here as the visitors collapsed to a modest 231 all out.
Southee was well-supported by an equally impressive Daniel Vettori who too grabbed four wickets. This being Kiwi skipper’s 100th Test, the effort was all the more special.
In reply the hosts were 19 for the loss of opener Tim McIntosh
The 21-year-old has struggled in New Zealand's 10-wicket defeat to Australia in the first Test in Wellington.
However, the young Northern Districts seamer proved the faith placed in him and was a key factor in New Zealand dismissing Australia for a lowly total.
Only Simon Katich got amongst runs with a well-struck 88 at the top of the order while the next best score was a princely 28 by Michael Clarke.
Score Board
AUSTRALIA (I Innings):
Watson c Arnel b Southee 12
Katich c Watling b Vettori 88
Ponting (run out) 22
Hussey c McCullum b Southee 22
Clarke c Southee b Patel 28
North lbw Southee 9
Haddin c&b Southee 12
Johnson c McIntosh b Vettori 0
Hauritz (not out) 12
Harris lbw Vettori 10
Bollinger b Vettori 4
Extras (B-4, LB-6, NB-2) 12
Total (all out, 74.3 overs) 231
Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-63, 3-129, 4-172, 5-180, 6-199, 7-200, 8-200, 9-217.
Bowling: Martin 12-3-42-0, Southee 19-3-61-4, Arnel 12-2-53-0, Vettori 19.3-5-36-4, Patel 12-2-29-1.
NEW ZEALAND (I Innings):
McIntosh b Bollinger 4
Watling (batting) 6
Sinclair (batting) 8
Extras (NB-1) 1
Total (for 1 wkt, 13 overs) 19
Fall of wicket: 1-4
Bowling: Bollinger 4-2-5-1, Harris 4-2-9-0, Johnson 3-2-1-0, Hauritz 2-0-4-0.