There had been speculation over Hazlewood's place in the XI leading into the Test but national selectors were vindicated by sticking with the boy from Bendemeer.

With Mitchell Starc out of action, the giant NSW paceman stepped up to the plate by delivering career-best figures of 6-70 as New Zealand's batsmen crumbled for the second time in the game.

Set 187 for victory, Australia were 3/113 at the dinner break with Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh steadying the run chase after a cluster of early wickets against the new ball.

It was a high-class performance by a young fast bowler who showed the poise and constitution of a seasoned veteran rather than a quick still in the first 12 months of his Test career.

Having previously played third fiddle to Starc and the recently retired Mitchell Johnson, Hazlewood relished the extra responsibility placed on him by his captain, who asked him to bowl 25 of the Kiwis' 63 overs.

His contribution was timely, coming after Mitchell Johnson's retirement and with Australia missing their major strike weapon.

"Sometimes when you get the opportunity to lead the attack like he has today you excel at it and step up," McGrath said.

'I think he's enjoyed being the guy that Steve Smith's looked to.

"Losing Mitch Johnson last week and Mitchell Starc, who's just in great form, it's opened the door for Josh to be the main bowler and I think he's really enjoyed it."

McGrath's career took off after he spearheaded an Australian attack missing senior quicks Craig McDermott and Damien Fleming to a watershed victory over the West Indies in 1995. The Test legend believes Hazlewood's success in Adelaide will have a similar effect for him.

"Billy and Flem went home and it gave me the opportunity to lead, and I enjoyed it," McGrath said.

"You're either going to see if guys will sink or swim.

"It shows selectors they can have confidence if and when it's time for him to lead the attack.

"Mitchell Starc's pretty young as well so those two guys will be around for a long, long time."

Hazlewood's form tailed off towards the end of the Ashes due after a hectic schedule but this summer he has been at his most potent since concerns were flagged about his heavy workload.

Hazlewood dismissed those worries last week and backed it up with an inspired display.

After sending down 33 overs across the first two days, Hazlewood backed up again on Sunday to finish the assignment he had made such massive inroads into the night before.

He struck with his third ball of the day, enticing a tentative stroke from BJ Watling, who was well caught at second slip by Steve Smith.

Watling's fighting qualities and experience were sorely missed by the Black Caps lower order which needed to bat for time as much as they did runs to maximise Australia's time at the crease under lights.

A key trait in Hazlewood's game was his willingness to pitch the ball up and ability to catch the edge of the bat. Of his nine victims in the match, five fell to catches behind the wicket.

"Josh is hitting good areas but he gets a little bit of shape, bowls that good full length," McGrath said.

"He's versatile, he can attack and not give away runs.

"That's what you want your bowlers to be. You can set fields, the majority of his wickets were caught in the slips which is perfect."

McDermott, Australia's bowling coach, has been pushing Hazlewood to bowl a fuller length knowing that his extra height will make him harder to drive.

"That's been his biggest thing he's had to work on," McDermott said.

McDermott, Australia's bowling coach, was impressed with Hazlewood's maturity.

"Josh looked like a real old bloke to be honest and bowled with better pace than he has the last couple of Test matches," McDermott said before play on Sunday.

"I look forward to the rest of the summer and him developing even further."

Andrew Wu, smh.com.au