England toast Steven Finn's bottle after rearguard display to save first Test

Captain Alastair Cook and James Anderson, Finn's predecessor as nightwatchman, promised him the booze if he saw England through to safety.

And the giant fast bowler duly hit a painstaking 56, his maiden half-century in professional cricket, as England reached safety on 421 for six on the last day of the first Test in Dunedin early this morning.

"There will be a few cases of wine being sent to my house back in England," Finn told the ECB website.

"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."

Finn's celebrations on the pitch were restrained, mindful of other tailenders' histrionics in similar circumstances.

"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."

But he can let his hair down at his team-mates' expense when he returns to England - and there could be more booze on the way if he repeats the feat.

Cook, whose 24th Test century laid the foundations for survival, said: "Bribing Steven seemed to work, so maybe we can apply that again.

"He gets well-rewarded for his efforts today. He's done very well out of a few of the lads."

Cook's opposite number Brendon McCullum was astounded by his improvement since they played together in 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."

Kevin Pietersen is expected to be fit for the second Test in Wellington starting on Wednesday night despite concern over his right knee.

New Zealand seamer Doug Bracewell is expected to return from a foot injury which ruled him out in Dunedin.