The pair reunited over the past four days to help push New Zealand to an outstanding 186-run win in the first test over the West Indies in Jamaica.
Southee's outstanding fast-medium bowling snared six wickets - including key figure Chris Gayle twice in his 100th test on his home ground - while offspinner Craig bagged eight wickets to make his debut what he called "a pretty surreal four days".
The West Indies have recent form for dramatic collapses. It happened twice in the series in New Zealand last summer, at Wellington (10 for 101 in 30 overs) and Hamilton (10 for 91 in 27), as they tumbled to heavy defeats.
New Zealand knew, as they took the field for the final innings yesterday, having set a target of 403, that there was potential for something similar. The Windies were dismissed in just 47.4 overs for 216 with a day to spare.
Southee did the early damage, then Craig, for the second time in the match, nabbed two wickets in an over and the slide was on, interrupted only by a breezy, 25-ball half century from last man Shane Shillingford.
Craig finished with eight for 188, won the man of the match award, but still found room for some honest self-analysis.
"Being quite critical of myself I still feel there were too many soft balls but overall I've got no complaints," he said yesterday.
"I felt like I had rhythm and there was enough on the ball so I was over the moon with how it was coming out."
Craig's philosophy owed much to common sense. "I just tried to come in and be as consistent as I could. Obviously there was a little bit of turn -- I wasn't trying too much, just be as simple as I could, and get the ball in the right areas as long as I could."
Clouting his first ball in a test for six gave the match an extra buzz. He knew a declaration was imminent, so took his chance.
Craig, who has taken 43 first-class wickets in 22 games for Otago, has no issue with people wondering who he is and how he made the national team. He knows he was a bolter and that's fine.
"I'm just more than happy I didn't embarrass myself over here and got stuck in."
His outlook won't change. There will not be any crystal ball-gazing.
"No, mate. One big thing I've been trying to work on is not get too far ahead of myself, just enjoy the moment, try and stay in the now, enjoy each day and focus on that."
And he admits he pinches himself "every day" when he thinks back to the year he was sidelined by chronic fatigue syndrome in 2009.
His cricket days could have abruptly ended.
"[From there] to what I've experienced over here so far, you wouldn't have dreamed it. It's awesome. Words can't quite describe it."
The second test starts in Trinidad early next Tuesday (NZT).
- by David Leggat of the NZ Herald
