Glenn Phillips has a penchant for taking outrageous catches on the cricket field and he did so once again to return Marnus Labuschagne in the ongoing second Test between New Zealand and Australia in Christchurch.
The Australian batsman was well prepared and batting 90. The Black Caps needed a moment of brilliance to get rid of Labuschagne and Glenn Phillips rose to the occasion when he made a stunning diving catch to give his team the much-needed breakthrough.
Labuschagne was facing New Zealand captain Tim Southee in the 61st minute when Glenn Phillips took the shout. The right-arm pacer bowled a shot just outside off and Labuschagne decided to try the shot after seeing the width. While he didn’t make good contact, the thick top edge looked good enough to get the ball over the edge.
But before the ball could pass to Glenn Phillips in the gully, he dove all the way to his right and caught the ball with one hand. He managed to keep the ball in the palm of his hand even though his elbow hit the ground when he landed. Labuschagne looked absolutely stunned at the catch and had no option but to walk away after missing his 12th Test ton by just 10 runs.
Watch Glenn Phillips’ Blinder:
SUPERMAN! 🦸 What a catch by Glenn Phillips! Australia are 221/8 at lunch on day 2 🏏@BLACKCAPS v Australia: 2nd Test | LIVE on DUKE and TVNZ+ pic.twitter.com/Swx84jNFZb
– TVNZ+ (@TVNZ) March 9, 2024
Talking about the game, Australia scored 256 runs in their first innings to take a comfortable lead of 94 runs. Australia resumed the second day at 124 for 4, with Labuschagne and Nathan Lyon starting the proceedings with the bat. The two added 34 runs to the overnight score before Lyon departed for 20. Mitchell Marsh then fell into the trap. Alex Carey (14) also couldn’t do much with the bat as Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Some useful contributions from lower order players like Mitchell Starc (28) and Pat Cummins (23) helped the visitors cross the 250-run mark. Matt Henry starred in the ball, taking 7 wickets for 67 runs. In response, New Zealand scored 43-1 at tea. Early in the game, the Black Caps were bowled out for a modest 162 runs in their first innings.