Glenn Phillips with support from Mitchell Santner lead New Zealand to first Test win on Bangladesh soil in 15 years in low-scoring encounter

Glenn Phillips on December 9 proved that he is much more than just a T20 batter. From a wicketkeeper, Phillips evolved as an all-rounder as he led New Zealand to their first Test win on Bangladesh soil after 15 years. Once again, he came to New Zealand's rescue when they suffered a batting collapse. Forming a formidable partnership with Mitchell Santner, he took the ODI approach and guided the visitors home with four wickets to spare on Day 4 at Shere Bangla Stadium, Dhaka.

Earlier, Bangladesh started Day 3 from 38/2. The partnership between Zakir Hasan and Mominul Haque was broken in the 15th over. Then Santner and Ajaz Patel rushed through New Zealand's middle order. Zakir ran out of partners and eventually lost his wicket of Patel. He scored 59 runs from 86 balls including six fours and a six. Taijul Islam remained unbeaten for 14 off 21 balls as Bangladesh were bowled out for 144. Patel took six wickets, and Santner picked three.

Chasing a target of 137, New Zealand lost the wicket of Devon Conway in the fifth over. Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam trapped him in front of the stumps. Taijul then dismissed Kane Williamson to put them under pressure. Mehidy Hasan Miraz got the wicket of Henry Nicholls. Miraz also ended Tom Latham’s stay at the crease. The opener scored 26 runs from 60 balls. Tom Blundell could not make an impact and was dismissed by Taijul as New Zealand lost half the side for 51. Daryl Mitchell showed some intent but departed after scoring 19 runs. New Zealand were 69/6 when Santner joined Phillips in the middle. 

Phillips was batting on five runs when Daryl returned to the pavillion. Phillips hit Taijul for two boundaries in the next over to release the pressure. Santner decided to slog against Mehidy to score his first boundary. At the tea break, they were 90/6. 

Phillips continued in the same fashion. He was cautious but pounced on opportunities to score. Santner smashed Taijul for the first six of the match. The fifty-run partnership was completed from just 62 balls. Bangladesh could not get the breakthrough and Phillips in the 40th over finished the run chase with a boundary. Phillips scored 40 runs from 38 balls featuring four fours and a six. On the other end, Santner remained unbeaten for 35 off 39 balls including three fours and a six.

Phillips was adjudged ‘Player of the match’ for taking three wickets in the first innings and registering scores of 87 and 40 not out in the first and second innings respectively in a low-scoring encounter. 

“That eight runs mattered a lot. We pride ourselves on fighting for as long as possible and keeping ourselves in the game. I think we did that. Our spinners did incredibly well and obviously Tim (Southee) with the ball, it was great to create a lot of pressure. The Bangladeshi boys came out with a little bit of intent as well. To restrict them to chasing 137 was very pleasing,” Phillips said in the post-match presentation. 

“The intent was there (in the second innings), was trying to sticking to my game plan as much as possible. If I can put the bowler off his length, that's gonna make it a little bit easier. for us. The way Mitch batted and Daryl with his intent ... helped along. (On Santner) He's got amazing hands, such a fluent player. We talked a little bit at tea about what sort of plan we wanted to go out with. Credit to him and credit to all the boys throughout this whole game.”

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