‘Kane Williamson’s gone – no problem,’ said Glenn Phillips. The multi-dimensional cricketer – batter, wicketkeeper and part-time off-spinner – just wants to be in the action. He dives around even when the ball’s out of reach. He runs between the wickets like his life depends on it and is willing to face chin music from Jofra Archer when batting.
Phillips isn’t an all-rounder. He’s a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ type of cricketer. There’s no shame in it. The 29-year-old isn’t his side’s best batter or keeper. Most of the time, Phillips isn’t even the safest catcher. But he’s the ultimate utility cricketer. He can give the opposition the feel of a pebble in the shoe.
In his 18-match Test career, Phillips has shown the ability to flip the game in New Zealand’s favour on his own. Mirpur 2023 might be the best example. In his third Test, away from home against Bangladesh, he returned with 127 runs and 3 wickets. In the entire Test, two batters scored a half-century. Phillips was the first one and the highest scorer in the match.
3 years later, Phillips has pulled off something similar. Once again, it’s away from home. At Lord’s against England, he was New Zealand’s best batter, with 34 and 44. He was the only batter on both sides to cross the 30-run mark. The 29-year-old has continued that form in the England vs New Zealand 2nd Test at The Oval.
Glenn Phillips tons up to save New Zealand
Down 0-1 and without Williamson, the Kiwis were in jeopardy. On a good batting track, New Zealand found themselves at 188/5. England’s 4-man pace attack had 29 caps between them. The Kiwi batters disappointed. Phillips and Tom Blundell dug them out of a hole, but the latter left him alone with a rash shot against part-timer Jacob Bethell.
Nathan Smith holed out on a leg-side full toss. At 280/7, things didn’t look that good. On the second day, Phillips had to get some runs and try to push for 350. England went for the bouncer barrage once again. He was tested by Archer on the previous evening, but Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker weren’t at that level.
Kyle Jamieson survived a few times. He was dropped, was hit on the head, and edges flew in no man’s land. But Phillips showed trust in him. In no time, the duo brought 50 runs together. Now, even 400 looked on. But Bethell sent Jamieson back for 41. Phillips was on 83.
He and Matt Henry needed to somehow scrap a few more runs. Luckily for him, England captain Joe Root didn’t bring Archer on, and he feasted on other bowlers. The tall pacer finally came to bowl in the 96th over, and with a single, Phillips scored his maiden Test hundred. Archer got Henry and Phillips holed out to Matt Fisher in the next over.
The crowd and the Kiwi dressing were on their feet, applauding what Phillips had done. He didn’t flash hard at everything. The batter picked and chose which bowler to target. The knock was more like an old-fashioned ODI innings, where you keep on building the innings. For three innings in a row, Phillips has been New Zealand‘s best batter.
His technique and mannerisms won’t have you sold on him as a Test batter, but Phillips has proved again that he’s a tough cookie to crack. Whether it was tricky seaming and invariable bounce conditions at Lord’s or a more batter-friendly pitch at The Oval, Phillips is up for the challenge.
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