London (AFP) – Glenn Phillips's maiden Test century was the cornerstone of New Zealand's first-innings 391 all out as the Black Caps stepped up their fightback against England at the Oval on Thursday.
Issued on: 18/06/2026 - 14:22
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New Zealand's Glenn Phillips celebrates his century in the second Test against England at the Oval © Glyn KIRK / AFP
Phillips, who was last man out for 100, received excellent support from Kyle Jamieson (41) in an eighth-wicket partnership of 87 as the pair capitalised on wayward England bowling and sloppy fielding on the second day of the second Test.Jamieson was dropped on 15 before all-rounder Jacob Bethell succeeded where the quicks had failed by bowling the towering paceman for this third wicket of the innings.England survived a potentially awkward 10 minutes of batting before lunch, reaching 15-0 at the interval.New Zealand, in a must-win clash at 1-0 down in a three-match series, resumed on their overnight 291-7.Phillips, dubbed the "energiser bunny" by team-mate Daryl Mitchell, was 49 not out, having shared a sixth-wicket stand of 75 with Tom Blundell (51) which helped New Zealand recover from 107-4 after they lost the toss.Phillips's top-edged pull early on Thursday completed a valuable 76-ball fifty with his 10th four.Jamieson, as he had done during New Zealand's 115-run defeat in the first Test at Lord's a fortnight ago, attacked the bowling as he flayed Sonny Baker through cover-point.Jamieson should have been out for 15 when his spliced swipe off Baker sailed gently to deep midwicket, only for Ben Duckett to drop a simple chance.England took the new ball as soon as possible, but Jamieson quickly cover-drove Josh Tongue for four.New Zealand dominated Thursday's first hour, scoring 74 runs in 12 overs, before Bethell ended Jamieson's 48-ball innings.Stand-in England skipper Joe Root -- back leading the side after the hosts dropped captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson for breaking a team curfew following the first Test -- kept Jofra Archer waiting in the field until New Zealand were 388-8.Phillips's single off Archer saw the all-rounder to a century, his first in his 19-Test career. And with just last man Will O'Rourke for company, he then holed out off Matthew Fisher.
