6 Twists From the Second Australia v New Zealand Cricket Test

In a thrilling cricketing escapade, Glen Phillips undergoes a remarkable transformation, and Alex Carey narrowly escapes being axed.

Captain Pat Cummins of Australia (C) and his team mates pose with the trophy after their series win during day four of the Second Test in the series between New Zealand and Australia at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Wellington on March 11, 2024. Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

Australia have triumphantly clinched the second Test in Christchurch.

They didn’t just win; they staged a come-from-behind spectacle, turning a dire 5-80 into a triumphant 7-281, thereby sealing the series with a 2-0 smirk on their faces.

At the helm of this escapade was none other than Captain Pat Cummins, who, with a cheeky 32 not out, thwacked the winning runs.

But the real caper was pulled off by Alex Carey. Not out on 98, Carey was the mastermind behind the Aussie resurgence, steering them clear from the brink of a cricketing calamity. Here are six twists from the second test worth noting.

1. The Remarkable Metamorphosis of Glenn Phillips

Taking a leaf out of the NSW Premier League’s book, where successful transformations occurred this season for several players.

The first was Manly’s Joel Foster, once a bowler and now an opening batter, then Hawkesbury’s Jack James, still an opening batter but also proving himself an off-spin bowler with almost 40 wickets, a five-fa, and hat trick in the season, and UTS North Sydney’s Mac Jenkins, who has gone from off-spin bowler to top order batsman.

But Glenn Phillips has gone one further.

From an international wicketkeeper to a batting all-rounder who now dabbles in off-spin, Phillips has not only changed his professional attire but has also taken flight to Otago, all for the love of bowling more.

And if you thought that was the climax, Phillips outdid himself by clinching an all-time catch to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne, proving once and for all that a wicketkeeper can indeed change his spots, and how!

New Zealand's Kane Williamson (R) and Glenn Phillips field the ball on day four of the second Test cricket match between New Zealand and Australia at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 11, 2024. Sanka Vidanagama/AFP via Getty Images

2. Alex Carey Escapes the Butcher’s Block

In an innings that could very well be scripted for the silver screen, Alex Carey shrugged off the spectre of the chopping block with a swashbuckling unbeaten 98.

Walking to the crease with Australia in a pickle at 5-80, Carey flicked his wand, weaving a spell that not only snatched victory from the jaws of defeat but also cemented his place against India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Carey, whose bat had been more silent than a monk in meditation in his last 18 test innings, chose this moment to roar back, all the while equalling the legendary Adam Gilchrist’s record of 10 catches in a match.

3. Pat Cummins: Not Just a Bowler

Stepping into the limelight as if he’s the lead in a cricketing drama, Pat Cummins has proven that his prowess with the bat can rival the likes of Smith and Khawaja, especially when the chips are down.

With a fourth innings average that’s better than most of Australia’s top order, Cummins finished on 32, showcasing that his batting is not just a sideshow but a main event.

Often cast in the role of a specialist bowler, Cummins has been quietly upping his game with the bat, ready to surprise and delight.

Pat Cummins and Alex Carey of Australia (L-R) celebrate their win during day four of the Second Test in the series between New Zealand and Australia at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 11, 2024. Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

4. Matt Henry: The Man with a Titanium Spine

In a storyline befitting a heroic epic, Matt Henry emerges as the knight in shining armour for the Black Caps, wielding not a sword but a cricket ball with deadly precision.

With a tally that reads like a bowler’s dream—seven wickets in the first innings, two in the second, and a total of 17 in the series—Henry has turned the cricket pitch into his personal battlefield.

And what’s more heroic than a 10-centimetre titanium cable and two screws holding his spine together since a career-saving operation in 2012?

This man isn’t just carrying the hopes and dreams of his country; he’s doing it with a back of literal steel. Whenever Henry took to the pitch, the otherwise placid Hagley Oval transformed into a treacherous terrain for the Aussies, making every delivery a thrilling adventure of its own.

Matt Henry of New Zealand bowls during day four of the Second Test in the series between New Zealand and Australia at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 11, 2024. Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

5. The Curious Case of Tim Southee

Tim Southee’s hundredth test turned into a bit of a puzzler. With only two wickets to his name, this chapter in Southee’s illustrious career didn’t quite follow the script we’d all hoped for.

Side by side with his old mate Kane Williamson, who also found himself in a bit of a narrative twist, Southee’s performance left fans and critics alike scratching their heads, wondering about the next twist in his tale.

Will this lead to a dramatic casting change, or is this just a cliffhanger setting us up for a grand comeback?

6. Kane Williamson: The Quest for Redemption

Kane Williamson, a name synonymous with cricketing excellence, finds himself in a plot thick with tension and anticipation.

Despite a track record that boasts seven centuries in his past 12 innings, this series has been more of a trudge through quicksand than a triumphant march for Williamson.

Facing off against top-tier competition has unveiled a chink in his armour. However, in the grand tradition of classic tales, every hero faces trials, and it’s the comeback that makes for a story worth telling.

As Williamson and Southee stand at the crossroads, the stage is set for a riveting revival, reminding us all that class is permanent, and the next chapter could very well be one for the ages.