Powered by Kane Williamson’s composed 93 and Glenn Phillips’ explosive 58, the hosts set a formidable target of 348 runs in their first innings. England’s reply began poorly, with Zak Crawley dismissed for a 12-ball duck.
Debutant Jacob Bethell also struggled, contributing just 10 off 34 deliveries. However, Harry Brook and Ollie Pope steadied the innings with a crucial 151-run partnership, guiding England to 222/4.
New Zealand’s bowlers, searching desperately for a breakthrough, finally found one through Tim Southee, aided by an extraordinary moment of brilliance from Glenn Phillips.
In the second ball of the 53rd over, Southee delivered a short, wide ball outside off stump. Pope, spotting the width, attempted a cut shot toward the third man. However, with the ball angling away, the shot was mistimed.
Though Pope made solid contact, he failed to keep the ball down and likely assumed it was headed for the boundary. But Phillips, stationed at gully, had other ideas. Tracking the ball’s trajectory perfectly, he launched himself to his right and pulled off a stunning one-handed catch.
Glenn Phillips adds another unbelievable catch to his career resume! The 151-run Brook-Pope (77) partnership is broken. Watch LIVE in NZ on TVNZ DUKE and TVNZ+ #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/6qmSCdpa8u
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 29, 2024
As the ball nestled into his outstretched hand, Phillips sprang to his feet, tossing the ball into the air in celebration while his teammates rushed to congratulate him in a moment of collective jubilation.