New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips recorded his career-best Test figures against Australia in Wellington, becoming the first Kiwi spinner to record a five-wicket haul at home in 16 years on Saturday.
Phillips’ rearguard with the bat saved New Zealand the blushes partially in the first innings where Australia dismissed the hosts for 179 to take a 204-run lead. Picking up from 29 for five, Phillips struck a 70-ball 71 with 13 fours.
While Australia resumed from their overnight score at 13 for two, Phillips entered the attack as the fifth bowler for the Kiwis on day three. Phillips foxed opener Usman Khawaja to have him stumped on 28 before running through the middle-order.
The right-arm offie dismissed Travis Head (28) and removed Mitchell Marsh for a golden duck the next ball. He dismissed wicketkeeper Alex Carey (3) and bagged his milestone wicket by nicking off first-innings centurion Cameron Green (34) to short-leg. Australia was eventually bowled out for 164 after they set a mammoth 369-run chase for the home side.
Phillips’s maiden Test five-wicket haul was also his career-best figures in all First-Class cricket across 54 matches. Incidentally, it was also the first instance of a New Zealand spinner bagging a five-wicket haul at home since 2008.