PHILLIPS COUNTERATTACK GIVES BLACKCAPS LEAD BEFORE BOWLERS STRIKE ON SHORTENED DAY

The Blackcaps trail by 30 runs at the close of play on day three of the second test against Bangladesh on another truncated day at Dhaka.  

Just 32.3 overs were possible on a day that saw a Glenn Phillips counterattack take New Zealand into the lead, before they struck twice with the ball in the second innings.  

With his team resuming at 55/5 after day two was washed out entirely, Phillips almost singlehandedly revived Kiwi hopes, hitting five fours and three sixes on his way to a 38-ball half-century.  

Playing in just his third test and batting out of position down at No.7, Phillips added vital partnerships of 49 with Daryl Mitchell (18) and 55 with Kyle Jamieson (20).  

With wickets falling around him, Phillips fell looking for quick runs, caught behind by Nurul Hasan from the bowling of Shoriful Islam for 87 off just 72 balls, with 72 of his runs coming in boundaries.

His innings lifted the Blackcaps from 55/5 to 180 all out, earning an eight-run lead in the process.  

In their second innings, Bangladesh were rocked in the first over, when Mahmudul Hasan Joy fell to Ajaz Patel, caught by Mitchell at slip for two.  

As bad light closed in, captain Tim Southee snared counterpart Najmul Hossain Shanto, who holed out to Kane Williamson at mid-on for 15.  

Play was stopped soon after, as the umpires decreed conditions had deteriorated too far in New Zealand's favour, with Bangladesh 38/2 and leading by 30 runs, with two days to play.   

On a pitch where 18 of 22 wickets to fall have been taken by the spinners, the Blackcaps will have their work cut out for them batting last on this surface.  

Bangladesh 172 & 38/2 (Zakir Hasan 16 not out; Southee 1/8)  New Zealand 180 (Phillips 87; Mehidy 3/53)

Join Newshub at 4:30pm for live updates of the Blackcaps v Bangladesh second test, or watch live and free on ThreeNow

2023-12-08T17:43:27Z dg43tfdfdgfd