New Zealand batter Glenn Phillips produced a mind-boggling performance in the match against Sri Lanka at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Phillips smashed a remarkable century, helping Black Caps reach a fighting total of 167/7 in 20 overs.
Apart from his eye-catching knock, Phillips also gained attention with an unusual way of leaving the crease at the non-striker’s end. It all happened during the final over of the Black Caps innings, when Phillips, in a bid to retain the strike, bent in a manner similar to athletes before a sprint. When Lahiru Kumara released the delivery, Phillips charged towards the striker’s end.
Relive the moment here:
Early contender for @Final_Word_Pod hall of fame: Glenn Phillips’ crouching track start to avoid Mankad risk. @GeoffLemonSport @collinsadam pic.twitter.com/vSsUnVUkKX
— (not that) Tim Minchin (@tGuillermo) October 29, 2022
Glenn Phillips taught a lesson to Sri Lankans with his bat, and the English with his running. pic.twitter.com/RtYCvekkgD
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 29, 2022
Glenn Phillips showing how to play cricket in spirit. pic.twitter.com/be3pSNJ4mP
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 29, 2022
Notably, in the match, New Zealand had a terrible start after captain Kane Williamson opted to bat. The Blackcaps lost three wickets inside the first four overs in the form of Finn Allen (1), Devon Conway (1) and Williamson (8).
Then, Phillips and Daryl Mitchell steadied the innings, adding 84 runs for the fourth wicket. Phillips ended up scoring 104 from 64 deliveries, with the help of 10 fours and 4 sixes.
In response, Sri Lanka never really got any momentum and were bundled out for a mere 102 in 19.2 overs, losing the contest by 65 runs. Trent Boult was the star with the ball, picking up a brilliant four-wicket haul for 13 runs in his quota of 4 overs. Apart from the left-arm pacer, spin duo of Mitchell Santner (2/21) and Ish Sodhi (2/21) bagged two scalps each.
“My conversation (with Mitchell) was to carry on as long as possible, play the right possible shots, was a little difficult against the slower balls, but we managed to get to a competitive total. I couldn’t put away the slower ones, but managed to execute my skills against the pacers, especially when pace was on,” said Phillips after the match.
