Dan Himbrechts/AAP via Photosport
Glenn Phillips of New Zealand takes a catch to dismiss Marcus Stoinis of Australia during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 game at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
It wasn’t just Australia’s title defence taking a dive at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday night.
Black Caps fielder Glenn Phillips produced a sensational length-wise leap to take a wonderful catch as New Zealand scored a stunning win over the hosts in the first game of the Twenty20 World Cup Super 12s.
Australia’s Marcus Stonis hit spinner Mitchell Santner over extra cover towards the boundary, but Phillips sprinted to his right and launched himself in the air, wrapped both hands around the ball and touched down safely to give the underdogs another wicket in Australia’s chase.
Chasing NZ’s 200-3, Australia were all out for 111 in 17.1 overs – immediately making their task of keeping the Cup they won in the UAE last year by beating their trans-Tasman rivals in the final notably tougher, while the Black Caps took a huge stride towards the last four.
New Zealand’s huge tally batting first after Australia won the toss was set up by a blazing 42 from 16 balls by Finn Allen, while his opening partner Devon Conway carried on his merry way to make an unbeaten 92 from 58 deliveries.
It was New Zealand’s first win in their last 16 matches across all formats against Australia on their home soil.
The next game for the Black Caps in Group One is against Afghanistan on Wednesday night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
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