Finn puts England in charge against New Zealand

AUCKLAND (AFP) –

Brendon McCullum (L) hides his face as team-mate Kane Williamson walks off after being caught, on February 23, 2013

New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum (L) hides his face as team-mate Kane Williamson walks off after being caught during the third one-dayer against England on February 23, 2013. New Zealand cumbled to 185 all out at Eden Park.

Devastating bowling from Steven Finn put England firmly in command of the third and deciding one-day international against New Zealand, who crumbled to 185 all out at Eden Park.

New Zealand were again forced to rely on the brutal batting power of captain Brendon McCullum who cracked 79 from 68 balls to give some respectability to an innings that ended 37 balls short of their 50 overs.

It is the second match in succession New Zealand have been sent into bat first and were unable to bat out their innings, after being set firmly on the back foot by Finn and his new-ball partner James Anderson.

Finn at one stage had the remarkable figures of three for 10 off eight overs before McCullum distorted the statistics with two fours and a six in an over that cost the England quick 17 runs.

When McCullum came to the crease, New Zealand were in serious trouble at 64 for four after 23 overs on a ground renowned for its flat track and short boundaries.

In one spell Finn and Anderson delivered 24 consecutive dot balls and took the wickets of Kane Williamson (seven) and Hamish Rutherford (two) after BJ Watling had gone earlier for one.

Second-match centurion Ross Taylor tried to turn the innings around with Grant Elliott, adding 53 for the fourth wicket before Elliott was run out.

Taylor followed soon after given out for 28, caught behind by Jos Buttler off Stuart Broad.

Although England were confident in their appeal it took a lengthy deliberation by television umpire Rod Tucker to confirm the dismissal after the hot-spot technology indicated the ball did not hit the bat.

New Zealand were then five for 67 after 25 overs, and it was left to McCullum to salvage something as he blasted six fours and five sixes in his whirlwind innings.

The remaining five New Zealand batsmen could only muster 33 runs between them.

James Franklin was the best of the rest with 13 before he was caught and bowled by Graeme Swann to give the England spinner his 100th ODI wicket.

Finn ended with the figures of three for 27 off nine overs, while Stuart Broad took two for 38 and Anderson one for 34.