Bird flying, Aussies on song: Anderson

Allrounder Corey Anderson paid tribute to Jackson Bird and Australia's bowlers in general after another impressive performance from the tourists' attack in this Trans-Tasman series.

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Australia are on the verge of a 2-0 sweep after dismissing the hosts for less than 375 for the fourth time in as many innings on the penultimate day of the second Test at Hagley Oval.

Star of proceedings this time around was Bird, who claimed his maiden five-wicket haul, including a crucial three-wicket burst after lunch that broke the back of the hosts.

Having played third fiddle to an impressive James Pattinson and Josh Hazlewood on day three, Bird (5-59) took centre stage in the second session of day four, breaking the stubborn 102-run partnership of Anderson and Kane Williamson with, firstly, the wicket of the allrounder, bowled for 48.

Three runs later, he had Williamson (97) out in the same fashion, and Tim Southee (0) was his next victim two balls later as the Black Caps crashed from 4-207 to 7-210.

"It was nice to take a few wickets when the team needed it after lunch," Bird said after play. "I started today and yesterday with a couple of expensive overs. I bowled too full and too straight, and then I had a decent spell after lunch and got a few wickets."

Dominating the seam battle has been a source of pride for the Black Caps in recent series.

With new ball pair Trent Boult and Tim Southee at the helm, they had won seven and drawn six of their previous 13 home Tests before Steve Smith's side crossed the Tasman.

However, a relatively inexperienced visiting attack has eclipsed Southee and Boult in particular, who have struggled for either swing or seam.

By contrast, Hazlewood, Pattinson, Bird, Peter Siddle and Mitch Marsh have all had their moments, allied with some tight spin from Nathan Lyon.

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Anderson admits Australia's ability to reverse swing the ball had set them apart from any recent touring team.

"They've bowled well this whole series to be fair," he said. "They've hit the right areas on our wickets and been able to do enough on wickets that potentially shouldn't be doing all that much."

Anderson says Bird was a prime example of the danger of small sideways movement, which New Zealand haven't achieved.

"He just nibbled it enough to cause a bit of havoc and then obviously with the new ball as well," Anderson said. "Sometimes when you do too much you don't get the wickets – he bowled really well today, and well done (to him) for the five-for."