Champions Trophy: Glenn Phillips reveals secret mantra behind batting success
What's the story
New Zealand cricketer Glenn Phillips has been in phenomenal form since he landed in Pakistan a few weeks ago.
In the four ODIs he has played so far, Phillips has scored a staggering 215 runs off a mere 162 balls (one ton and one fifty) while being dismissed just once, (vs Pakistan).
His latest show saw him score a quickfire 61 from 39 deliveries, taking New Zealand past the 300-run mark against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy opener.
Here's more.
Winning formula
Phillips shares his strategy for success
Phillips credited his success to a clear mindset and brilliant ball perception, after NZ's 60-run win in Karachi.
"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," he 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 further admitted.
Past triumphs
Phillips's previous performances and future challenges
Before the Champions Trophy, Phillips had scored 106* (not out), 28*, and 20* in the recently concluded ODI tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa.
In the Champions Trophy opener, he teamed up with Tom Latham at a critical point when New Zealand were reeling at 191/4 in the 38th over.
Their partnership contributed a brisk 125 runs off just 74 balls, taking New Zealand to a challenging total of 320/5.
Team resilience
Phillips praises New Zealand's adaptability on different pitches
Phillips also praised his team's adaptability to different pitch conditions in Karachi.
He said the pacers were especially tough to face during the day when the ball was doing a bit.
Despite the challenges, he lauded Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke for their brilliant bowling during the chase.
Moving forward, Phillips stressed New Zealand will have to keep adapting as they face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 24 and India in Dubai on March 2.
Match recap
New Zealand tame Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy opener
An all-round NZ side beat PAK in the first match of the Champions Trophy in Karachi.
Centurions Will Young and Latham were brilliant.
Phillips scored a whirlwind knock as New Zealand posted 320/5 in 50 overs. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf were the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan picking up two wickets each.
In response, Babar Azam and Khushdil Shah's fifties weren't enough as Pakistan (260/10) suffered a big defeat.
O'Rourke and Santer bagged three each for NZ.
ODI stats
The all-rounder's ODI numbers
Phillips is just four runs shy of the 1,000-run mark in ODIs.
He boasts an average of 38.30 while striking at an impressive rate of 102.04.
He also owns one hundred and five fifties, with a high score of 106* which he hammered against Pakistan.
Notably, he now owns 331 runs against Pakistan, (most against any opposition in his career) at 82.75, across seven innings.