Glenn Phillips smashes fastest T20I century for New Zealand as Kiwis clinch series against West Indies

Glenn Phillips hammered his maiden T20I ton off just 45 balls, the fastest T20I ton for a New Zealand batsman. The ton came in the second T20 against West Indies at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui as he joined an elite list of Kiwis. Only three Kiwis, Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill and Colin Munro, have hit a ton in the shortest format of the game before him.

The Auckland batter walked in when the Kiwis were at 57 for 2 in the seventh over. Shortly after his arrival, Martin Guptill was sent packing. And the onus fell on Phillips’ shoulder to steady the ship on a slow pitch. After a getting off to a steady start, Phillips’ cut loose in the 11th over as he smashed a six and two fours to Keemo Paul. He went to hammer three sixes and a four off Fabian Allen in the 13th over as he rushed off to his fifty off just 22 balls.

Nice to be up there with Munro on the leaderboard

Phillips notched up his century off just 45 balls, breaking the record held by Munro who ramped up a ton off 46 balls also against the Windies. Phillips suffered a recurrence of a knee injury which he sustained in Auckland and he departed for 108 off 51 balls in the final over of the game. During his stay in the middle, the 23-year-old stitched a 184 runs partnership with Devon Conway as New Zealand put 238 on board, their third-highest total in the format.

Phillips’ scintillating knock earned him the player of the match award and he is proud to be in the elite list of Kiwis. He shares that his experience in the Caribbean Premier League gave him the confidence to take on the opposition. Thanks to his ton, New Zealand beat West Indies by 72 runs as the hosts took an unassailable lead in the three-match series.

“Nice to be able to be up there with him (Munro) on the leaderboard. Batting with Dev (Conway) was incredible. You always go with confidence against guys you have done well against. New ground and I tried to adapt as much as I could. All the coaches and players that I grew up with are a major part of who I am today,” Phillips shared during the post-match presentation.

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