Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne was denied his 12th Test century by a stunning one-handed catch from Glenn Phillips. The incident happened on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test between New Zealand and Australia in Christchurch. Labuschagne anchord Australia’s innings during his 50th Test with a well-compiled 90. He had a century in his sights until Phillips dived to his right and took a stunning one-handed catch at gully. The video of Phillips’ superman-esque catch has gone viral on social media.
SUPERMAN! What a catch from 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
Meanwhile, Kane Williamson and Tom Latham led New Zealand’s fightback after Labuschagne’s knock had put Australia in control.
Mitchell Starc removed opener Will Young for one after Australia had taken a lead of 94 runs in the first innings.
However, Williamson and Latham slammed half-centuries as the Kiwis ended Day 2 at 134/2, with a narrow 40-run lead in hand.
Australia captain Pat Cummins broke the dangerous partnership between the two, cleaning up Williamson on 51.
It left Latham not out on 65 with opener Rachin Ravindra unbeaten on 11.
Earlier on Day 2, The tourists added a further 132 runs with their final six wickets on Saturday before they were all out for 256.
Matt Henry, moving the ball both ways, did his best to keep New Zealand competitive by taking 7-67.
It was the second time in his 25 Tests that Henry had taken seven wickets in an innings, after much of his career had been overshadowed by team-mates Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
But with Boult no longer in the frame, Henry has relished a regular new ball slot with 15 wickets in three innings in the series.
Australia’s first-innings lead was bolstered by the tail-enders with the last three wickets contributing 67 runs. Seamers Pat Cummins and Starc were particularly aggressive.
Cummins finished with 23, including an onslaught of three fours and a six in successive deliveries from Ben Sears.
Australia are looking to sweep the series after their dominant 172-run victory in the first Test.
(With AFP Inputs)
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