India strike early but Phillips, Jacobs power New Zealand to 180/5

New Zealand recovered from an early collapse as Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs struck half-centuries to post 180 for five against India in the second T20I in Christchurch. Phillips scored 70, while Jacobs made 58, sharing a crucial 116-run partnership

Christchurch: India produced a much-improved bowling display before New Zealand rode on half-centuries from Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs to post 180 for five in the second T20 International here on Saturday.

Phillips smashed 70 off 43 balls, while Jacobs contributed 58 off 46 deliveries as the duo rescued New Zealand from a shaky start with a 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

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New Zealand had slipped to 41 for three in the sixth over after India’s bowlers struck early, but Phillips and Jacobs steadied the innings with a measured approach before accelerating in the latter stages.

India made an early breakthrough when Arshdeep Singh dismissed Tim Seifert for seven in the second over.

Prince Yadav then removed Finn Allen for 16, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar accounted for Daryl Mitchell, who managed just six, leaving New Zealand struggling at 18 for two before the end of the third over.

Allen’s dismissal in the sixth over left New Zealand at 41 for three, putting the onus on Phillips and Jacobs to rebuild the innings.

The pair responded with a crucial stand, taking New Zealand past 100 in the 14th over and laying the foundation for a strong finish.

Phillips brought up his half-century off just 33 balls, striking three fours and three sixes by that stage. He eventually finished with four boundaries and as many sixes.

Jacobs, meanwhile, reached his fifty off 40 balls, hitting five fours and a six as he complemented Phillips’ aggressive strokeplay.

The fourth-wicket partnership crossed 100 runs in 69 balls, with the two batters rebuilding the innings after the early setbacks.

Phillips’ knock ended in the 18th over when he was caught by Naman Dhir off Arshdeep. It broke the 116-run stand.

Jacobs followed soon after, dismissed for 58 off Nitish Kumar Reddy’s bowling, as New Zealand slipped to 165 for five.

Arshdeep was India’s most successful bowler, returning figures of two for 33 from his four overs. Prince conceded 30 runs for one wicket, while Bhuvneshwar finished with one for 50.

Axar Patel was economical, conceding 28 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket. Nitish Reddy claimed one wicket for 31 runs in three overs.

Michael Bracewell provided a late flourish, smashing a four and a six as New Zealand added 23 runs in the final two overs to finish at a respectable total of 180 for five.