Leaping to his right, Glenn Phillips pulled off a stunning airborne catch to dismiss Ollie Pope, undoubtedly one of the best catches of the year. Known for his breathtaking fielding, earning him nicknames like ‘Hawk’ and ‘Superman,’ Phillips has added another gem to his career highlights.
However, on the same day Phillips soared like a hawk, the rest of the New Zealand fielders appeared to have buttered their fingers! In a shocking display, New Zealand dropped six catches within 74 overs against England in Christchurch. Remarkably, Harry Brook alone survived four dropped chances!
Given so many lifelines, Brook ensured the Kiwis paid the price. The right-hander closed the day unbeaten on 132, notching up his seventh Test century. After bowling out New Zealand for 348 in their first innings, England ended Day 2 on 319 for 5. Brook will resume tomorrow alongside Ben Stokes, who is unbeaten on 37, having himself survived a dropped catch when on 30.
Brook, though, has been New Zealand’s biggest tormentor so far. He offered chances on 18, 41, 70, and 106—Phillips missed the first, while Tom Latham, Devon Conway, and Tom Blundell spilled the rest. Latham also missed an early opportunity off Ben Duckett, allowing England to stabilize after a precarious 71 for 4.
The missed chances enabled Brook to forge a 151-run partnership with Pope for the fifth wicket, followed by an unbroken 97-run stand with Stokes for the sixth. England had been reeling after Matt Henry removed Zak Crawley in the fourth over, and debutant Nathan Smith dismissed Jacob Bethell and Joe Root within two balls in the 15th over. Root, playing his 150th Test, was bowled for a duck.
Despite their strong start, New Zealand’s cascade of dropped catches allowed England to claw back, with Brook leading the charge in punishing the hosts for their errors.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 1st Innings: 348 in 91 overs (Williamson 93, Phillips 58*, Latham 47, Ravindra 34; Carse 4/64, Bashir 4/69, Atkinson 2/61).
England 1st Innings: 319/5 in 74 overs (Brook 132*, Pope 77, Duckett 46, Stokes 37*; Smith 2/86, Henry 1/50).
— End of Day 2.”
