Phillips living charmed life as Kiwis struggle against Australia

Newcomer Glenn Phillips lived a charmed life as New Zealand kept ir first innings flickering against Australia in third Test in Sydney on Sunday. Phillips, who only flew in as cover on eve of Test with team hit by a virus outbreak, was dropped twice and given a reprieve when caught off a -ball. Phillips made full use of his good fortune to head to tea unbeaten on 30 with Todd Astle t out 10 in New Zealand's 210 for six in reply to Australia's 454 on day three.

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Phillips living charmed life

It was longest innings of a disastrous lost series for Kiwis, bettering 71 overs y faced in second innings of second Melbourne Test. Spinner Nathan Lyon put down two caught and bowled chances when Phillips was on two and 17. Kiwi batsman dodged ar bullet on 28 when he was caught by Travis Head at deep midwicket only to be recalled when James Pattinson was found to have over-stepped for a -ball.

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Blackcaps lost three wickets in middle session with experienced Ross Taylor out in second over after lunch leg before wicket to Pat Cummins for 22. Taylor remains 20 runs away from becoming highest-scoring New Zealand batsman in Tests behind Stephen Fleming (7,172). Wicketkeeper BJ Watling, with a reputation for lengthy stays at crease, chopped a wide Mitchell Starc delivery on to his stumps for nine off 30 balls to put his team furr under pressure.

Colin de Grandhomme was needlessly run out for 20 taking on Matw Wade's throw from deep to wicketkeeper Tim Paine while attempting a second run. Lyon grabbed two key wickets in morning session, removing Melbourne Test centurion Tom Blundell and recalled Jeet Raval. Raval, who was dropped after twin batting failures as an opener in first Perth Test, batted positively at number three.

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But his innings came to an end when he was beaten by Lyon and was trapped leg before wicket for 31 off 58 balls. Tom Latham was out two balls later in next over from Cummins, done by a fuller delivery off slower surface and chipping straight to Mitchell Starc at mid-on. new skipper, deputising for sidelined Kane Williamson, was denied a deserved half-century on 49 in his 133-ball vigil.

Blundell fell in day's fifth over bowled by Lyon for 34. Blundell attempted to play off back foot only to miss it with ball coming off his left leg and on to stumps. Sydney Test is being played against backdrop of one of Australia's most devastating bushfire seasons with at least 24 people losing ir lives in blazes raging across country, including on outskirts of Sydney. Play will be suspended in match at umpire's discretion, should smoke significantly affect air quality or visibility, but sky above ground has remained largely clear so far.

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