AUS vs NZ: 3rd Test – New Zealand call up Glenn Phillips with Williamson unlikely to recover
New Zealand’s troubles have escalated after receiving a pounding from Australia in the first two Tests. The Kiwi side which is trailing 0-2 in the three-match Test is likely to miss their captain and their best batsman, Kane Williamson, in the final Test. Middle-order batsman Henry Nicholls and spin all-rounder Mitchell Santner are also struck by the bout of illness. New Zealand have called upon Glenn Phillips as a cover for Williamson and Nicholls.
The Domain Pink Test against the Blackcaps starts at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) tomorrow! #ausvnz pic.twitter.com/K4JnIgGXsc
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 2, 2020
Knowing Glenn Phillips
23-year old Phillips hails from Eastern Cape, South Africa. He represents Auckland in first-class cricket. The wicketkeeper-batsman made his national T20I debut in February 2017 against South Africa. He has featured in 11 T20Is thus far and is yet to play an ODI or Test. His first-class record consists 23 matches in which he has scored 1,489 runs at 42.54 average with four centuries. He last represented his nation in November 2018.
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New Zealand’s struggle
The visitors lost the first Test at Perth by 296 runs whereas they conceded a 247-run defeat in the following encounter at Melbourne. New Zealand skipper Williamson struggled for runs in both the Tests. The Captain managed to score only 57 runs in his four knocks. Apart from the openers, New Zealand batsmen have struggled in standing up to the Aussie attack. The unavailability of their premier batsman will hamper them.
Henry Nicholls with 61 runs from four innings has suffered the lack of form as well. Opener Jeet Raval is likely to come back in the playing XI with plenty of empty slots in the lineup. Third and final Test match of the series begins at Sydney Cricket Ground on 3rd January (Friday). It will be a pink Test.
The Domain Pink Test against the Blackcaps starts at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) tomorrow! #ausvnz pic.twitter.com/K4JnIgGXsc
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 2, 2020
