Image Credit- AFP
All-rounder Glenn Phillips of New Zealand revealed
that, prior to their pivotal seventh-wicket partnership developing in the Dhaka
Test, he discussed his batting mantra with Mitchell Santner. Before Santner and
Phillips joined forces to save the team, the visitors had collapsed to 69 for 6
while needing to chase 137 runs on the fourth afternoon against Bangladesh.
On what the captain of New Zealand, Tim Southee, later
referred to as the “worst pitch” of his career, the two added the
remaining 70 runs in the chase as the Bangladeshi bowlers battled for the final
four wickets. In the last 100 years, where at least 36 wickets have fallen for
both teams, this match featured the third-fewest balls bowled in a Test.
Phillips stated that it was critical for New Zealand
to bat out the final 3.1 overs before the tea break. He claimed to have
discussed his playing style on the Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch with
Santner. Santner followed the advise and went undefeated on 35.
“They were bowling really well at the time,”
Phillips said. “It was a real blessing for us to get to tea. We had a bit
of chat, talked a bit about tactics. He has got incredibly fast hands. I let
him in on my game plan, about staying leg-side of the ball and using my hands
and bats to play the ball. He thought it was a good option for him as well. The
way he came out after tea and really took it to the bowlers, the way he played
the offies as well, it was incredibly impressive. It took the pressure off myself.”
With scores of 87 and 40 runs without out in both
innings, Phillips led the team in scoring and stated he wished to bat in the
second innings similarly to how he did in the first. He smashed 72 balls in the
first dig, hitting four sixes and nine fours.
“I think at the end of the day, I was sticking to
my plan. It worked in the first innings. We made adjustments from the first
game as well, so it was sticking to that and keeping my processes calm and
clear. I was still taking the attack to the bowlers when they missed, but at
the end of the day, it was about knocking down one run at a time. Take it as
deep as possible,” he said.