New Zealand’s first-choice cricketers are taking heart from a surprise England defeat ahead of the first Test in Dunedin.

What was supposed to be a low-key warmup against a New Zealand selection in Queenstown over four days last week has morphed into a talking point after England crashed to a three-wicket loss.

A Test-strength English batting lineup struggled against seamers Neil Wagner and Mark Gillespie while the home team looked assured in reaching 7-349 declared and 7-333 in their two innings.

While acknowledging the tourists were without new ball bowlers Jimmy Anderson and Steven Finn, likely Test opener Hamish Rutherford, who scored 90 and 33, still took plenty out of the result.

“I don’t know how they think about it but obviously for us, it was about denying their bowlers. They didn’t bowl us out once, so that was pleasing,” Rutherford said.

“And also for a couple of their key batters not to score runs, that doesn’t help them.”

England opener Nick Compton and Test No.4 Kevin Pietersen failed in both innings, having taken no part in the Twenty20 and one-day international series last month.

Finn doubts it will affect the pair, who have spent time adjusting to New Zealand conditions in the nets.

“Everyone gets quality time in training and that will hold us in good stead,” Finn said.

“Obviously it wasn’t ideal, losing the four-day game, but we took some good things from it. We’ll practise hard these next two days and we’ll all be ready and raring to go on Wednesday.”

Finn rejects suggestions complacency crept in following the ODI and T20 series wins – both by a 2-1 scoreline.

While Test world No.2 England are ranked six places above New Zealand, Finn says the hosts will provide stiff opposition.

“Having seen them in the one-day series and the Twenty20 series, (we know) that they’re capable of some exceptional cricket and they have some exceptional performers,” he said.

“We never ever take anyone lightly and anyone in their own backyard is a hard team to beat.”