Southee shares the spoils with Vettori and repays selectors' faith

Tim Southee, the fast bowler, said he had justified his place in the New Zealand team after taking four wickets against Australia in Hamilton yesterday. Southee and Daniel Vettori, his captain, who was playing in his 100th Test, tore through Australia on the opening day of the second Test at Seddon Park as the tourists were dismissed for 231. The Black Caps, who trail the two-match series 1-0, were due to resume on 19 for one this morning as they look to make up for their 10-wicket defeat in Wellington.

"We had a good couple of days training after Wellington and it's obviously Dan's 100th Test so we wanted to come out firing," said Southee, who took four for 61. Southee, 21, was happy to repay the selectors' faith in him after he had struggled with his form. Indeed, if it had not been for Daryl Tuffey, the fast bowler, fracturing his hand, it is likely Southee would not have played in this match.

"I was obviously pretty disappointed after the last Test as I didn't play very well," he said. "To come back the way we did was pleasing. We bowled well as a unit and I was just the one that picked up the wickets. "I wasn't too sure but it was good to be able to give the selectors a bit of payback for sticking with me do that was pleasing." Playing on his home ground, Vettori (four for 36) made his mark in the morning by running out his opposite number, Ricky Ponting, then removed Simon Katich (88) in more familiar fashion just before tea with Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Doug Bollinger his other victims.

"We've got a bit of hard work ahead of us but I think the way we bowled, it'll be pretty hard for the Kiwis as well," said Katich. "We've got to do some hard work with the ball but there's plenty of Test cricket left in this match." * PA Sport