Tim Southee has revealed the secret to his stunning day two effort in the first test against India - really good painkillers.
The veteran swing bowler starred as the Blackcaps staged a tremendous fightback in Kanpur, taking 5/69 as the hosts were bowled out for 345 - losing 6/87 in a session and a half on Friday.
In reply, Tom Latham (50) and Will Young (75) were unbeaten at the crease at the close of play with the Blackcaps 129/0 - 216 runs behind.
But it was Southee's heroics with the ball that lifted his side back into the World Test Championship clash, removing Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha and Axar Patel in the first session of day two.
It was a remarkable comeback for the 32-year-old, who less than 24 hours earlier left the field with what looked to be a match-ending injury.
But fears of a pulled groin were premature and the Northern Districts man returned to play late on day one and bowled New Zealand back into the game on Friday.
"That over I came off I felt something very tight in the groin area, and I just wanted to make sure it wasn't anything that was going to get a hell of a lot worse," Southee says.
"So I came off and it was nice and reassuring to know it wasn't muscular, it was more of a tendon, so for peace of mind that was nice.
"Having played a bit of cricket, you tend to be able to play through some stiffness and soreness. A bit of physio last night, a few painkillers – it's nothing new to play through a bit of pain.
"The best painkiller is wickets, so I think that numbed the pain there for a little bit."
The wicket looks to be dying, with several balls keeping worryingly low, but although it is taking spin, the slow nature of the wicket makes combating that all the more easier.
With two of the world's top ten test batsmen to come in Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls, and the experience of Ross Taylor, the Blackcaps' dream would be to bat India out of the game on day three.
Regardless, Southee says to be in the position they are, is a testament to the fighting spirit of the world champions of the red-ball format.
"It was a great day for us," says Southee.
"We knew we had to make early inroads with the new ball, with two guys who were set and playing nicely.
"It was nice to take a few wickets early and create a few chances – all-in-all it was a pretty solid bowling performance after being asked to bowl first.
"The way our openers have gone out and played has been exceptional, I think we're used to Tom Latham being so solid at the top of the order but for someone like Will Young, who hasn't played any long-form cricket since June, for him to go out and play the way he's played has been great to watch as well."
