Glenn Phillips becomes third NZ batter with this all-format record
What's the story
New Zealand's Glenn Phillips has made history by scoring his first-ever Test century. The feat came on Day 2 of the second Test against England at The Oval. With this achievement, Phillips has become only the third New Zealand cricketer to score centuries in all three formats of international cricket - Tests, ODIs and T20Is. He has joined former captain Brendon McCullum and opener Martin Guptill in this exclusive club.
Match update
Phillips, Jamieson power NZ to strong total
Phillips resumed his innings on Day 2 with an overnight score of 49. He batted patiently and aggressively, bringing up his maiden Test hundred off 133 balls. Right after completing his ton, Phillips fell to Matthew Fisher for a 135-ball 100 (18 fours). His innings helped New Zealand post a strong first-innings total of 391. Fast bowler Kyle Jamieson chipped in with a fighting 41.
Stats
1,000 Test runs loading for Phillips
Phillips, who made his Test debut in 2020, also has five half-centuries to his name. He has raced to 953 runs from 19 Tests at an average of 36.65. Over 600 of his runs have come in away Tests. The dasher has scored two tons each in ODIs and T20Is. McCullum and Guptill also tallied two tons apiece in T20Is. The former also retired with 12 Test and five ODI hundreds. Guptill bowed out with three Test and 18 ODI tons.
Bowling strategy
Henry's brilliance puts England on back foot
In reply to New Zealand's total, England struggled to keep up with the visitors. Opener Emilio Gay offered resistance with a composed 53, registering his second consecutive Test half-century. However, his dismissal shifted the momentum firmly back in New Zealand's favor. Seamer Matt Henry then produced a crucial spell during the evening session, striking in successive overs to remove stand-in captain Joe Root for 46 and Harry Brook for 24 via tight lbw decisions.
Match status
England end Day 2 at 222/6
Debutants James Rew and Jordan Cox tried to stabilize the innings with a 39-run partnership, but New Zealand struck again late in the day. Will O'Rourke dismissed Rew for 24 shortly before stumps, leaving Cox unbeaten on 22 and England in a precarious position. At stumps on Day 2, England were 222/6, still trailing New Zealand by 169 runs, with the visitors firmly in control heading into the third day.