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Phillips Credits Santner For Pressure-Easing Knock In Mirpur Test Triumph

image-lpz9pgqiPhillips and Santner added 70 runs for the seventh wicket (Twitter)

New Zealand match-winner Glenn Phillips selflessly praised allrounder Mitchell Santner for playing an influential role during their valiant 70-run partnership which clinched the second Test of the series against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Saturday (December 9). 

On a treacherous surface, described by Kiwi skipper Tim Southee as the "worst pitch" of his playing career, the earnest duo revived the BlackCaps from a precarious hole at 69/6 to ultimately achieve the 137-run target in a thrilling finish.

Phillips, who was the 'Player of the Match' for backing his tremendous first-innings 87 and a three-wicket haul in the low-scoring affair with another aggressive 40* on the final afternoon, instead credited his lower-order partner and his counterattacking 35* off 39 balls for the victory. 

A limited-overs maverick transforming into a Test match hero for his country, the 27-year-old revealed how his batting partner bought into his theory to stay leg-side of the ball and let the hand-eye coordination take over from there. 

Phillips Credits Santner After Mirpur Thriller 

Phillips said the tea break that arrived early in their stand on Day 4 gave the duo a chance to revisit their playing strategy, where they were set to attack the Bangladeshi spinners against the old ball, which turned with less spite and venom off the dry turning pitch. 

"They were bowling really well at the time. It was a real blessing for us to get to tea. We had a bit of chat, talked a bit about tactics. He has got incredibly fast hands. I let him in on my game plan, about staying leg-side of the ball and using my hands and bats to play the ball," Phillips was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

"He thought it was a good option for him as well. The way he came out after tea and really took it to the bowlers, the way he played the offies as well, it was incredibly impressive. It took the pressure off myself," he added. 

The memorable stand helped New Zealand not only draw level 1-1 in the two-match rubber but also avoid an embarrassing maiden Test series loss against the Bangladeshis after conceding a famous defeat in the opening match in Sylhet.