It’s impossible to have a perfect day in Test cricket but New Zealand seam bowler Neil Wagner reckons he wasn’t far off against England as he knocked over his prize target on the ground he loves best.

The high point of a heady second day of the first Test in Dunedin was Wagner dismissing fellow-South African native Kevin Pietersen, trapped lbw for a golden duck.

That sizzling inswinger set the tone for a day the Black Caps would dominate, dismissing the hosts for 167 and reaching 131-0 in response.

Wagner – who only sealed his selection courtesy of seamer Doug Bracewell cutting his foot in a freak accident – could scarcely believe he had claimed 4-42 on his beloved University Oval against the world No.2-ranked Test side.

After removing Alastair Cook for 10 with the second ball of his first over, Wagner knew the importance of getting it right immediately against the flamboyant Pietersen.

“If you asked me before the Test, is there any wicket you really want? That was the one,” he said.

“We knew we had to try and make it count first ball up, make it swing and try and get ourselves in with a shot. I was just lucky that I got it in the right area and it swung and it happened.”

After several prolific domestic seasons, Pretoria-born Wagner earned his New Zealand citizenship but failed to initially match his promise.

Two Tests in the West Indies and one in South Africa yielded just five wickets at an average of nearly 70.

“As a New Zealander playing in New Zealand for the first time, it was pretty special. I needed it and I was just glad to get it under the belt, I guess.”

It was also a dream day for New Zealand’s two new caps.

Auckland spinner Bruce Martin claimed four scalps while opener Hamish Rutherford was unbeaten on 77, complemented by 46 not out for the recalled Peter Fulton.

Wagner was delighted for Otago teammate Rutherford, who also took three catches in the field.