New Zealand’s hopes of winning the first Test against England were dashed by nightwatchman Steven Finn, who batted almost six hours to steer the match to a draw on Sunday.
New Zealand, ranked No.8 in the world, had the better of world No.2 England through most of the match and still had hopes of victory when they led by 59 at the start of the final day.
But Finn, unheralded as a batsman, started before stumps on the fourth day and batted until after tea on Sunday to dull New Zealand’s thrust for victory, reaching his first half-century in Tests or first-class cricket.
England were 6-431 when stumps were drawn, leading by 128 with Ian Bell 26 and Matt Prior 23.
While England’s fightback, after trailing by 293 runs on first innings, was set up by openers Alastair Cook and Nick Compton who both made centuries, it was Finn who sealed the draw.
He came to the wicket when Cook was dismissed for 116 late on day four and batted resolutely into the match’s final session.
When he was out and England lost the wicket of Joe Root for a duck soon afterwards, New Zealand’s hopes rose briefly.
But Bell and Prior batted England on to a lead of 128 and when drinks were taken in the final session, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum shook hands and accepted the draw.
The second Test starts in Wellington on Thursday.
“From the moment we stepped onto the field to the moment we stepped off it we showed the heart and the characteristics we want to be known for,” McCullum said.
“There were some outstanding debuts. Hamish Rutherford’s 171 on debut was something not just he but everyone at the ground will remember for a long time.
“The bowlers’ effort over the last two days was phenomenal. They just kept coming in hard and kept trying and we never gave up the belief that we’d be able to get the job done.”
Finn defied that belief. He formed partnerships of 34 for the second wicket with Nick Compton, who was out for 117, then 90 for the third wicket with Jonathan Trott, who was dismissed in the second session for 52.
Kevin Pietersen, looking out of form, was out for 12 as New Zealand’s bowlers battled hard in unhelpful conditions.