Finn’s rare vintage is a corker as England earn draw

Come what may in two more matches of a series England were expected by many to win easily, Finn has already earned rich reward from his team-mates for almost five hours of defiance on the final day at the University Oval in Dunedin.

Captain Alastair Cook and James Anderson, previous incumbent as England’s resident nightwatchman, both promised to ship two cases of wine to Finn’s house as an incentive during his maiden half-century – not just in Tests but any professional cricket.

Shunted up from No 9 to three, Finn made a nonsense of his previous first-class best 32 with a painstaking innings of 56 which delayed the Kiwis for 203 balls and allowed England to reach the safety of 421-6, which was 128 runs in front thanks, too, to Cook’s 24th Test century, fellow opener Nick Compton’s first and 52 from Jonathan Trott.

It all means England can head for the second Test in Wellington still all square, despite their first-innings collapse to 167 all out.

For Finn, when the time comes to reflect on his significant part in the successful rearguard, he will be able to relax as well with more than a glass or two of white or red.

“All I know is there will be a few cases of wine being sent to my house back in England,” the fast bowler said.

“I think it was a case of wine from Cook and a case from Jimmy, if I saw it through to lunch and then tea.

“So I’ve got four cases of wine coming my way, I think.”

Finn could perhaps have been forgiven for more animated celebrations when he completed his 50.

But mindful of other tail-enders’ histrionics in similar circumstances, and unfamiliar with the etiquette despite a top score of 106 in club cricket, he remained understated.

“I remember watching Glenn McGrath and he was riding his bat like a pony,” said Finn.

“I thought to myself I wasn’t going to do that. I haven’t done it for years. So it was a bit alien holding the bat up, but good fun.”

Cook, meanwhile, can consider his and Anderson’s outlay well-spent and he is already contemplating repeat tactics, should the situation recur.

“Bribing Steven seemed to work, so maybe we can apply that again,” he said.

“He gets well-rewarded for his efforts today. He’s done very well out of a few of the lads.”

So motivated was Finn, in fact, that Cook’s opposite number, Brendon McCullum, was astounded by his improvement since they played together in New Zealand domestic cricket.

Asked if he was shocked a nightwatchman could occupy the crease for so long, the Kiwi captain said: “Yes, especially Finny.

“He played at Otago and I’ve seen his batting before... he’s certainly worked on it.”

Cook was surprised, too, but delighted.

“The way Steven applied himself was fantastic,” said the left-hander.

“I certainly didn’t know he had that in him and I don’t think he did either.

“But it shows when you really put your mind to something and you’re very disciplined on a flat wicket, anyone can make themselves very hard to get out.

“We’ve always known he’s got a solid defence and he showed that today.”

Finn was vindicating England’s decision to replace Anderson as their nightwatchman and Cook’s confidence in Compton was also borne out.

“It’s always a great time to be part of that history when someone scores their first hundred,” he said.

“Any time you get nought for England, you’re under pressure in the second innings – and he played like he can.

“It’s great that he’s gone on to get a hundred and I think we’ll see him take a big step forward because a hundred as an opening batter for England will give you a huge amount of confidence.

“Knowing you can perform at this level is a big mental hurdle for any batsman.”

Cook believes England, too, can take encouragement from their resilience after that worrying first-innings blip.

“When you get bowled out for 160 in the first innings on a good wicket... you’re always facing an uphill battle just to save the game,” he added.

“We certainly felt after day one pretty much it was damage limitation from there on.

“If you look at pretty much all the shots, it was poor execution – you can describe them as soft dismissals. It’s very hard to come back in a game from there. But the character we showed to dig ourselves out of that hole is very pleasing.

“We’ve been lucky certainly, in one sense, to escape with a draw.

“It’s a huge reminder that, if you don’t perform, you don’t deserve to win anything.”

Kevin Pietersen is expected to be fit for this week’s second Test, despite concern over pain in his right knee.

New Zealand will announce their squad for the second Test today, with an update on frontline seam bowler Doug Bracewell’s availability anticipated as he recovers from the foot injury.

England’s display divided opinion with former coach Peter Moores feeling it was unfair to suggest the team were over-confident.

Former Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan strongly criticised the team after they were bowled out for 167 in the first innings and claimed that they were not “prepared to do the hard yards”.

Moores said: “The disrespect, I don’t really agree with that. I can see where Michael is coming from, that you go in thinking you are going to win.

“But it is a sub-conscious thing rather than a conscious thing, because they are all saying the right stuff. I think they would have physically trained the same. What they wouldn’t have done is been as mentally switched on for a really tough contest. Then you get your fingers burned.

“Then they have kicked back and shown what a good team they are, in many ways, with Compton and Cook up front and people like Finn chipping in with the bat.”

“They’ll be happy to start with a draw because they are still very much in the series and I think they will back themselves, now they have played a game, to win at least one of the next two Tests.

“I think they will be quite happy with that.”