[Watch] Glenn Phillips takes a stunner at gully to dismiss Ollie Pope for 77 in 1st NZ vs ENG TestÂ
New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips continued to mark his case as one of the best fielders in the world after he took a one-handed stunner during the first Test against England. His acrobatic brilliance led to the dismissal of Ollie Pope on Day 2 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
England were placed perilously at 71-4 when the vice-captain came in at No.6 to join Harry Brook. With New Zealand's first innings total of 348 still being quite far away, a partnership was the need of the hour. Pope was demoted down the order and was playing as a wicket-keeper batter upon Jamie Smith's unavailability and Jordan Cox's late injury.
He had a jittery start, aligning with his reputation. Surviving a couple of edges that traveled to the boundary, he looked assured once he was set.
The pair had just bought up the 150-run partnership for the fifth wicket, but it came to an abrupt end. Pope seemed to have found the gap after going for a full-blooded cut shot against a Tim Southee delivery well wide of the off stump.
The ball was quite far from Phillips, but it was at an ideal height, which was enough for him to work with. The fielder dove full length to his right, as the ball stuck to his outstretched hand. Have a look at the exceptional catch right here:
Ollie Pope departed after scoring 77 runs from 98 deliveries, with eight fours to his name.
Glenn Phillips replicated his effort from when he dismissed Marnus Labuschagne earlier this year
At the same venue, the all-rounder had taken an eerily similar catch in the second Test match against Australia in March 2024. On that occasion as well, he was stationed at gully and had to dive full length to his right to send back Marnus Labuschagne for 90.
The Australian batter had played a cut shot off a wide delivery by Tim Southee in the last over before lunch, but was undone by Phillips' brilliance on the field.