Australia vs New Zealand updates: Glenn Phillips produces catch of a lifetime

A New Zealand star has produced one of the greatest catches you’re ever likely to see in a moment that left fans in disbelief.

New Zealand has roared back into the second Test after an impressive display on day two at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Australia entered the second day with all the momentum after knocking the home side over for just 162 and reaching 4/124 at stumps.

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The Aussie batters made loads of starts, but only Marnus Labuschagne’s encouraging 90 offered any real substance as the Kiwis knocked the tourists over for 256.

In reply, Kane Williamson (51) made his first half-century of the series and Tom Latham ended the day 65 not out in New Zealand’s 2/134.

That’s a 40-run lead overall with eight wickets in hand, leaving the home side in perfect position to set a challenging run chase in a Test that looks like ending in well under five days.

Glenn Phillips took an all-time catch to remove Labuschagne and Alex Carey dropped Latham late on in a strong day for the Kiwis.

Catch a recall of all the action below.

Glenn Phillips is easily the best fielder in the world at the moment in my opinion. What an athelete and a complete fielder! Today's catch of Marnus at gully was just crazy!!!#GlennPhillips#NZvsAUS

— Tanishq Sharma (@Tanishq72) March 9, 2024

4.40pm - New Zealand’s day

Stumps have been called with the home side 2/134 in its second innings and holding a 40-run lead.

Having been bowled out for just 162 in the first dig, it’s been a strong response from the Kiwis.

Tom Latham was dropped late on by Alex Carey to reach the close of day two unbeaten on 65, with Rachin Ravindra alongside him on 11.

The hosts have been under the pump throughout the series to date, so the current scenario was a pleasant surprise to Kane Williamson heading into day three.

“It’s nice to have a lead at the moment,” he said on Fox Cricket. “We just need to see how many we can get really.

“We’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves, there are no targets at this stage, it’s just batting and working on committed plans.”

Tom Latham (left) and Kane Williamson put on a crucial hundred run stand. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

3.30pm - Kiwis fight back hard

It’s taken one-and-a-half Test matches, but the home side has made a statement.

Australia had been in a dominant position entering day two in Christchurch, but the Kiwis have hit back impressively.

Staring down a 94-run first innings deficit, New Zealand lost Will Young for one before a hundred-run partnership between Tom Latham and Kane Williamson allowed the hosts to get their noses in front.

Pat Cummins has just struck, removing Williamson for 51 to leave the Kiwis 2/112.

But with eight wickets in hand and an 18-run lead, New Zealand has a chance to establish a challenging total for the Aussies to chase with some sensible batting.

Tom Latham salutes after his half century during day two. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

12.35pm - Horror start for the Kiwis

Mitchell Starc has delivered in the early stages for the Aussies.

After a wayward delivery, Starc delivered a gem that left opener Will Young in all sorts as the ball sailed past him and clipped the outside edge of his bat.

Alex Carey comfortably claimed the catch as the Aussies strengthened their hand on the outcome of the second Test.

12.20pm - Henry wraps up Aussie innings

New Zealand star Matt Henry was the chief destroyer for the Kiwis, claiming seven wickets as he kept the Aussies in check.

Pat Cummins got active when the Aussies fell to nine down, but his innings was brought to an end after being trapped in front by Henry who claimed seven wickets.

Australia hold a 94 run lead.

12pm - Starc goes for one too many

Mitchell Starc was looking to hit one out of the stadium but was beaten by the bowling of Matt Henry.

Starc loosened the shoulders and swung wildly but Henry got the ball to do just enough as it clipped the outside edge and was hauled in by Tom Blundell.

Henry now has six wickets with a big chance to end the innings with seven as Josh Hazlewood strolls to the crease.

11am - Catch for the ages ends Labuschagne

Glenn Phillips oh my goodness.

Marnus Labuschagne had shut down the critics with a stunning innings, but it came to an end in spectacular fashion.

A cut shot off the bowling of Tim Southee flew away towards gully where Phillips pounced like a jungle cat.

Diving at full stretch away to his right, Phillips threw his right hand out and hauled in the out of this world catch.

“That is a beauty for the Black Caps,” one commentator said.

Steve Smith (the journalist, not the cricketer) on X wrote: “My goodness what a catch, as good as it ever gets.”

EPIC!!!pic.twitter.com/ly2e0WJ6NX

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 9, 2024

10.20am – Carey throws his wicket away

Alex Carey will be left kicking himself after a nightmare shot cost him his wicket.

The Australian wicketkeeper attempted to sweep Glenn Phillips but the shot was too far out of reach and popped up off the toe of the bat.

The ball ballooned up and was comfortably caught by Tom Latham to drop Australia to 7/189.

Carey’s love affair with the sweep shot previously put him under the spotlight and the latest dismissal has once again opened the door with fans blasting the keeper and calling for the selectors to make a change.

One user wrote: “It’s getting harder and harder to defend alex carey’s batting. averages 21 against eng, 24 against india and 13 against NZ.”

Another added: “What was Alex Carey actually doing?”

A third wrote: “Carey again with the sweep shot, that’s got him out most innings. Papers stamped.”

Alex Carey out sweeping... #NZvAUSpic.twitter.com/TCC1KaqQrx

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) March 8, 2024

9.45am – Henry gets his fifth

Mitch Marsh has failed to add to the scoreboard after being sent back to the changerooms by Matt Henry.

The wicket gives Henry his fifth of the innings and gives Marsh his second straight duck.

A peach of a delivery from Henry thundered into the front pad of Marsh who had taken a step down the wicket.

After being given not out, Tim Southee waited until the final second before electing to send it up for review.

Three red lights flashed on the screen and that was all she wrote for Marsh as the Kiwis continue their fight.

A very good (albeit late) review from NZ - Marsh gone for a duck #NZvAUSpic.twitter.com/D7MF2voMhb

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 8, 2024

9.30am – Lyon sent on his way after solid morning

The nightwatchman is gone with Matt Henry claiming his fourth wicket of the innings after snaring the edge of Nathan Lyon.

Lyon was looking to frustrate the Kiwi attack once again but his innings came to an end after scoring 20 runs from 27 deliveries. The Aussies are now just four runs behind with five wickets in hand.

9.05am – Labuschagne survives early scare

The Kiwis have thrown away a review in the opening over after a ball thundered into the pads of Marnus Labuschagne.

Labuschange strolled a long way down the crease and moved across his line as the Kiwis went up after the delivery from Matt Henry hit him on the pads.

After being given not out Tim Southee elected to send it upstairs where DRS showed it had hit him outside the line of off stump.

9am – Steve Smith experiment hasn’t gone to plan

Serious questions are being asked over Australia’s experiment to throw Steve Smith up the order following the retirement of David Warner.

Through seven innings since putting his hand up to be Australia’s new opener, Smith has only scored more than 12 runs on two occasions.

A hard fought 91 against the West Indies eased some of the fears, but overall the sceptics still remain.

With scores of 12, 11, 6, 91, 31, 0 and 11, the torrid run of form has left many questioning if he should return to his usual position in the line-up at number four.

“He doesn’t look like himself opening and if Smith starts losing form while Marnus and Carey are also playing horribly, then this batting line-up is a real worry,” Marcus Bazzano said on the Cricket Today Podcast.

Smith was sent packing in horror fashion on Friday. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Smith did nothing to help put the concerns to rest on the opening day when he shouldered arms to a delivery from debutant Ben Sears.

The ball slammed into Smith’s pads and in an instant the umpire’s finger raised to the heavens. Smith sent it upstairs for review in another baffling decision as the DRS sent him on his way.

Matt Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft were listed as the most likely men to replace Warner in the Australian line-up and will come into consideration if selectors ultimately elect to send Smith back down to four.

“Although Renshaw is in the squad I don’t see him coming in to replace anyone for now, but this top order should change after this New Zealand Test series,” CODE Sports’ Daniel Cherny said.