Glenn Phillips delivered one of the most memorable moments of the first Test between New Zealand and England with a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Ollie Pope during Day 2 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Phillips’ extraordinary effort brought an end to a crucial fifth-wicket partnership, but England continued to fight back, trailing New Zealand by handy runs only.
England’s recovery led by Harry Brook’s impressive century
After a shaky start to their innings at 71/4, England mounted an impressive recovery, thanks to a monumental partnership between Pope and Harry Brook. The duo added 151 runs to steady the innings before Pope fell for 77 to Phillips’ stunning catch. England finished the day at 319/5, trailing Black Caps by 29 runs. Brook is unbeaten at 132 while captain Ben Stokes is undefeated at 37.
Glenn Phillips’ fielding brilliance gets rid of Ollie Pope
Phillips’ catch to dismiss Pope was a moment of sheer brilliance that will be remembered as one of the highlights of the match. The dramatic dismissal came off Tim Southee’s bowling when Pope, who had been in excellent form, attempted to cut a wide delivery with the intention of finding the boundary. He made solid contact with the ball, sending it flying toward the gully region.
However, the seemingly safe shot turned into a spectacular dismissal thanks to Phillips’ exceptional athleticism and presence of mind. Stationed at gully, Phillips had mere seconds to react. Showing remarkable reflexes, he dived to his right, his body fully stretched and almost horizontal to the ground, and plucked the ball out of mid-air with just one hand. The degree of difficulty was immense, as the ball was traveling fast and seemed destined to race to the boundary.
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Phillips’ acrobatic effort not only stunned the crowd but also injected much-needed energy and morale into the New Zealand team. His teammates swarmed him in celebration, recognizing the magnitude of the moment. The catch broke a crucial fifth-wicket partnership that was threatening to shift the game firmly in England’s favor, marking a pivotal moment in the match.
Here is the video:
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