Glenn Phillips has excelled in Pakistan, scoring 215 runs in four ODIs since his arrival, with only one dismissal. In New Zealand’s Champions Trophy opener against Pakistan, he contributed 61 runs off 39 balls, helping his team surpass 300 on a challenging pitch. Phillips attributes his success to clarity and focus at the point of contact. His impressive recent form includes scores of 106 not out, 28 not out, and 20 not out in a tri-series prior to the tournament. New Zealand’s next matches are against Bangladesh and India, as they aim to adapt and progress in the tournament.
What’s his formula for success? “I’m very clear right now, I’m seeing the ball exceptionally well, and I believe being still at the point of contact plays a significant role in my ability to hit,” Phillips mentioned after New Zealand’s 60-run victory in Karachi. “I’ve struggled with this in the past, but currently, I feel in a good rhythm.”
What contributed to the struggles of the batters before their partnership? “I think each time we’ve played here in Karachi, the pitch conditions have varied significantly.”
“The pace bowlers were definitely more challenging to face during the day when the ball had a lot of unpredictable bounce. The way Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke bowled during the chase was commendable, but during the daytime, the Pakistan bowlers, particularly at the start, made it quite difficult for us to find runs early on.”
“We’ve shown a strong ability to adapt to different pitch styles, and it was nice to witness some turn in the evening.”
New Zealand’s upcoming match is against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 24, before they head to Dubai to face India on March 2. They will need to continue adapting if they aim to reach the semi-finals and beyond, but this marks a promising start in that journey.