Unveiling the Key to Glenn Phillips' Success

Ever since arriving in Pakistan a few weeks ago, Glenn Phillips has been in exceptional form, playing four ODIs and scoring a total of 215 runs off 162 balls. He has only been dismissed once during this time period. In New Zealand's Champions Trophy opener against the hosts, Phillips showcased his talent by scoring a quick 61 runs off 39 balls, helping his team reach a formidable total of over 300 on a challenging pitch where scoring runs was difficult, especially in the early stages of the match.

What's his secret? "I'm just really clear at the moment, I'm seeing the ball really well and I guess being still at the point of contact and I think that goes a long way in being able to be a hitter," Phillips said after New Zealand's 60-run win in Karachi. "I haven't always got it right in the past, but I've got a little bit of a feel for it for the moment."

He had scores of 106 not out, 28 not out and 20 not out in the preceding tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa that served as final preparation for the Champions Trophy. Today, he came in at 191 for 4 in the 38th over, joining a well-set Tom Latham, with New Zealand's run rate at that point hovering at around five to the over. The pair went on to ransack 125 from 74, New Zealand finishing with 113 from the last 10 which was the second-most by any team in the last ten overs (41-50) of a Champions Trophy innings.

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What was it that held batters back before this partnership? "I think we've played a different pitch and it's played a different way every time we've been here [Karachi].

"The pacers I think were definitely harder to play in the day when the ball was going up and down a lot. The way Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke bowled [in the chase], it was a testament to how good they did but I think during the day the way the Pakistan boys bowled, especially at the top, made it quite tough for us to get away early on.

"I think we've been really adaptable to different styles of pitches, and it was nice to see some turn out there in the evening."

New Zealand's next game is against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 24, before they fly to Dubai to take on India on March 2. They will have to keep adapting for a while more to make the semi-finals and beyond, but this was a fine start in that direction.