The desire would definitely be to go into that one-day format: Glenn Phillips

New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Glenn Phillips played a handy knock of 55 runs in the opening game of 3-match T20I series against Windies helping the Blackcaps post a massive total of 187 runs. The visitors were thumped by early blows from 30-year-old debutant Seth Rance who got rid of the two Windies openers in his second over. But the first wicket, well it was more like a wicketkeeper’s scalp as Phillips after running backwards dived to pull out a stunner to dismiss Chris Gayle.

With brilliant performance with the bat and then good glove work, the 21-year-old must have surely impressed the New Zealand selectors. His performance will surely make his case even stronger. Phillips replaced rested Tom Latham behind the wicket. Apart from his blistering maiden half-century and the stunner to dismiss Chris Gayle, he also stumped the good-looking Andre Fletcher during Ish Sodhi’s over. He grabbed two more catches in the game, one of which was taken diving to his right.

Road to national selection

He first came to notice during New Zealand A tour of India where he was the leading run-scorer for his side. He got selected for the T20I series for the national side after his innings of 140 runs during his India A tour.

Phillips is known for his attacking cricket as the Africa-born averages around 40 in first-class cricket. He was leading run scorer in the domestic T20 cup’s 2016-17 edition in New Zealand where he averaged over 45 and scored his runs at an impressive strike rate of 143.

Phillips got the man of the match award for his brilliant performance with the bat and later behind the wicket. He said that he would love to be the part of 50-over side. “The desire would definitely be to go into that one-day format, and then, if the Test stuff ever happens one day, then I’d definitely relish the challenge,” Phillips said as per quotes on ESPN Cricinfo.

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