2nd Test: Phillips century helps New Zealand take upper hand against England
London, June 19
Glenn Phillips scored a hundred and shared an 87-run partnership with Kyle Jamieson before the New Zealand bowlers claimed crucial wickets to leave England struggling at the end of the second day of the second Test at The Oval in London on Thursday.
New Zealand dominated the day with Phillips' hundred and Jamieson's 31, helping them reach a first-innings total of 391 before Matt Henry (2-57) and Will O'Rourke (2-61) struck crucial blows to reduce England to 222/6 in 59 overs at stumps, leaving them 169 runs behind and in a position to further strengthen their position. New Zealand had lost the first Test at Lord's and now have a good opportunity to win the second match and level the three-match series.
Henry caused the most damage to England's first innings by claiming the wickets of stand-in skipper Joe Root (46) and Harry Brook (24), while O'Rourke bagged the crucial wicket of opener Emilio Gay for 53 and wicketkeeper-batter James Rew (24),
Emilio Gay (53 off 114) had kick-started England's innings with a second successive Test half-century, only to fall two balls later as New Zealand worked their way through the top order. A 39-run stand between debutants James Rew and Jordan Cox looked to have seen England through to the close, only for O'Rourke to dismiss Rew at the death to leave England six down and in trouble.
Earlier, Phillips smashed his first century for New Zealand in 133 balls as England took the entire morning session to wrap up the Black Caps' innings, before their reply unravelled in an extended evening session.
New Zealand resumed on 291-7 at the start of a miserable morning session for England, where the hosts were architects of their own downfall. Ben Duckett shelled a gilt-edged chance to remove Kyle Jamieson on 15 in the third over of the day, before their persistence with a short-ball strategy failed to bear fruit.
England's abject start was epitomised by part-time spinner Jacob Bethell taking the new ball after five overs, with quick Jofra Archer not introduced until the 15th. Jamieson took full advantage of his early reprieve, piling on 87 from 96 in an increasingly frustrating eighth-wicket stand for England.
Bethell, just as he had in the evening session on day one, provided the breakthrough England craved when he bowled Jamieson in the over after drinks. Phillips was rewarded for valiantly surviving Archer's bouncer barrage late on day one, hitting 18 fours to notch his first Test ton.
Matt Henry holed out off the very next delivery, and Phillips lasted just two more, with the centurion the last to fall as England finally dismissed New Zealand for 391.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Love watching Test cricket like this - genuine contest between bat and ball. Phillips' century was classy, but I'm impressed by how New Zealand's bowlers stepped up after that first Test defeat. Henry and O'Rourke sharing four wickets between them shows good depth. England at 222/6 with a 169-run deficit... they've got a mountain to climb tomorrow. Root as stand-in skipper hasn't had the best day either - dropped catches and odd bowling changes. Should be an interesting third day!
From an Indian perspective, this is why we love Test cricket abroad - real character shown by both teams. Phillips' 18 fours in that 133-ball knock? Pure entertainment! But honestly, England need to fix their approach - dropping Jamieson early (Duckett shelled that chance) and then that short-ball strategy that didn't work... feels like they're overthinking. Emilio Gay scoring two fifties in his first two Tests - that's some talent. New Zealand in a strong position, but England's lower order can always spring a surprise. Bas de leela!
Impressive performance from New Zealand after losing the first Test. Phillips' maiden hundred is a special moment - to survive Archer's bouncers and then cash in, that's Test cricket at its finest. England's tactics seem questionable though - giving the new ball to a part-time spinner after five overs? And not using Archer until the 15th over of the day? That's poor planning. Gay continues to impress with another fifty, but Rew's wicket at the death was a huge blow. England will need to dig deep tomorrow to avoid going 2-0 down.
What a day of Test cricket! Phillips' century was the highlight - such clean hitting. But honestly, I'm a bit disappointed with England
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