Cook happy with fighting spirit

Captain Alastair Cook praised the fighting spirit of his England side in the drawn opening Test against New Zealand.

England hit back from a first innings score of 167 to finish the final day on 421 for six after New Zealand had made 460 for nine declared.

That meant a lead 128 and led to Cook and opposite number Brendon McCullum to shake hands on a draw.

Cook told Sky Sports 1: "The last two days we showed some good fighting spirit. The way we went about those last two days we can take a lot from."

Cook admitted he was puzzled at how England had got off to a bad start, which has become something of a habit in the opening Test

of recent series.

"I'm not quite sure we know the reasons for it, it's certainly frustrating," said Cook.

"You can talk about doing the right things. We know how important it is to get off to a good start, especially in a three-match series."

Cook played his part with a century and there was also a maiden Test hundred for Nick Compton and a first fifty at this level for Steven Finn.

Cook said: "It was great for Compo to get his first hundred. We always knew when he gets in he is hard to get out."

Cook said of Finn, who spent five hours at the crease: "I don't think we realised he had that in him."

Finn was relieved he was able to bat rather than bowl on what had become a lifeless pitch after opting to be nightwatchman rather than fellow bowler James Anderson.

Finn said: "It's nice to do something and my job as nightwatchman was to go out there and take up as much time as I could.

"Me and Jimmy had a little debate last night as to who would do it.

"It was far more enjoyable to bat on that pitch than bowl on it."

McCullum praised his young side who had England in trouble from the off in a match shortened to flour days by rain.

McCullum said "It's great for a young bowling group and each and every one of them bowled outstandingly well in this match.

"I'm incredibly proud of their efforts."