Glenn Phillips Steps Up For New Zealand In Absence of Wagner

2 min read

In 16 years, Glenn Phillips became the first spinner from New Zealand to take five wickets in a Test match at home on Saturday. In the first Test match between the Black Caps and Australia at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, Phillips achieved the feat.

The last Kiwi spinner to accomplish the feat was Jeetan Patel, a right-arm off-spinner who claimed five wickets against Chris Gayle’s West Indies at McLean Park in Napier back in 2008.

Phillips concluded the current Test on Day 2 with the final scores of 16-4-45-5. Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Alex Carey were among the wickets claimed by the off-break bowler as New Zealand knocked Australia out for 164 in their second innings.

After taking two four-wicket hauls earlier, the 27-year-old Phillips also amassed his best bowling numbers in first-class cricket.

Glenn Phillips becomes the first New Zealand spinner since 2008 to take a five-wicket haul in Tests at home 🌟#WTC25 | #NZvAUS 📝: https://t.co/ZR2nZf4LSN pic.twitter.com/Hdd08aqQby
— ICC (@ICC) March 2, 2024

During the Bangladesh trip in November and December of last year, Phillips displayed his skill with the ball in Test cricket. With eight wickets from two matches, including a four-wicket haul, he ended third in the series’ top wicket-taker.

When New Zealand qualified for the 2023 ODI World Cup on Indian soil, Phillips showed great skill with the ball as well. During the massive tournament, Phillips recorded 10-0-37-3 stats at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala during a match versus Australia.