The memorable dismissal 'c Smith b Hadlee' will stand the test of time, though New Zealand cricket now has a more prolific wicketkeeper-bowler combination.

When BJ Watling stretched to take an injudicious leg glance by Shakib al Hasan on the opening day of the second and final test between the Black Caps and Bangladesh at Hagley Oval on Friday, one of Canterbury's favourite son's surrendered one of his many landmarks.

Shakib's dismissal - a virtual carbon copy of Tamim Iqbal's demise at the start of the Bangladeshis innings - carried the 'keeper-bowler combination of Watling and Tim Southee to 44 test dismissals, one clear of their illustrious predecessors.

FAIRFAX NZ Ian Smith and Richard Hadlee celebrate taking a wicket against the West Indies in 1987.

"It's one of those milestones along the way that's nice to have," said Southee, who also ended a pleasing day for the home side with 5-94, his sixth five-wicket haul.

"Obviously BJ and I have had a combination for a while now [at provincial and international level] and it is nice as a bowler knowing that you've got a good keeper behind the stumps, someone that grabs most things and does a great job."

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GETTY IMAGES Tim Southee and BJ Watling are now New Zealand test cricket's most prolific bowler-wicketkeeper combination after taking their 44th dismissal on day one of the second cricket test against Bangladesh in Christchurch.

Watling was unable to prevent a wild Southee delivery clearing his head enroute to the boundary but when a Bangladeshi bat was involved he the South African-born Northern Districts gloveman was spot on.

"A couple down leg side today which he moved well to which were nice," he said when asked if any of the 44 dismissals stood out.

"I remember a couple he dropped," he smiled, without elaborating.

Southee, who is enjoying a decent spell of success in the test format after snaring 6-80 against Pakistan on his home ground in Hamilton last November, is now eyeing another accolade after his bowling and 4-87 from fellow new ball spearhead Trent Boult limited Bangladesh to 289.

The 27-year-old's latest five-wicket bag leaves him just two short of 200 in tests, a mark only four Kiwi bowlers have achieved: Hadlee, Daniel Vettori, Chris Cairns and Chris Martin.

"It will be nice if it comes but you don't set out to do too many individual milestones. They're the sort of things you tick off along the way," he said.

"It will be nice but the next jobs to try to knock them over again. Hopefully after a little bit of rest."