Emerging
Jun 18, 20261
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Phillips' maiden test century leads strong New Zealand reply at The Oval
Glenn Phillips scored his maiden test century as New Zealand recovered from 291-7 to post 391, with strong support from Kyle Jamieson in a 87-run partnership that capitalised on England's bowling strategy at The Oval.
Quick Facts
Who
Glenn Phillips
What
New Zealand resumed from 291-7 and batted through the morning session
When
Thursday
Where
The Oval
- New Zealand resumed from 291-7 and batted through the morning session
- Glenn Phillips scored his maiden test century
- Phillips and Jamieson added 87 runs in a partnership
- The pair scored 74 runs in the first hour across 12 overs
- Kyle Jamieson scored 41 off 48 balls with six boundaries
Glenn Phillips scored his maiden test century as New Zealand recovered strongly on the second morning of the test match against England at The Oval on Thursday. Resuming from 291-7, New Zealand batted through the morning session to post a total of 391, with Phillips unbeaten on 100 until his dismissal late in the innings.
Phillips' century was built on a productive partnership with tailender Kyle Jamieson, who scored 41 off 48 balls. The pair added 87 runs together from 96 balls, capitalising on England's over-reliance on short-pitched bowling. In the first hour alone, Phillips and Jamieson scored 74 runs across 12 overs, helping New Zealand surpass the significant milestone of 350. Phillips, who had resumed on 49, reached his half-century off the day's second delivery and converted that into a maiden test hundred off 133 balls with 18 boundaries.
England's bowling attack was hampered by the absence of Jofra Archer for much of the morning session. Archer, the team's leading fast bowler, had delivered eight overs intensely at the end of Wednesday's play but did not reappear until close to lunch. When Archer did return, he found Phillips already at 97 and facing limited resistance. The England bowler collected the ninth wicket but could not prevent New Zealand from adding crucial runs. Part-time spinner Jacob Bethell emerged as England's most successful bowler, taking three wickets including the dismissal of Jamieson.
Phillips' breakthrough test century follows successive centuries in one-day internationals and Twenty20s, demonstrating his emerging status as a multi-format talent. His hundred surpassed his previous test best of 87 against Bangladesh in 2023. England made 15 without loss in three overs before lunch, leaving the match poised for their reply.
Topics
Why This Matters
Phillips' maiden test century signals New Zealand's growing middle-order strength and demonstrates his emergence as a genuine multi-format talent capable of delivering under pressure. The 87-run partnership with Jamieson shifted momentum decisively in New Zealand's favor, turning a precarious position into a competitive total that could prove decisive in this bilateral series. For England, the bowling lapses—particularly Archer's unavailability and over-reliance on short-pitched tactics—expose tactical vulnerabilities that may haunt them in their reply and beyond.