"Fantastic For Cricket": Glenn Phillips Reacts To Run-Fest Against India

New Zealand batter Glenn Phillips called the close, high-scoring first T20I against India a "fantastic" match that is "great for cricket" after Hagley Oval in Christchurch witnessed a run-fest, with India chasing down a record 226 with four wickets in hand. Speaking ahead of the second T20I between New Zealand and India at the same venue on Saturday, the New Zealand batter said close games are good for the sport and help bring fans back to the stadium. "Yeah, it's fantastic, great for cricket (on the close first game). To be able to have a game like that, with one team scoring 220 and the other chasing it down, I think it's great for this crowd. It brings people back, and that's great for the game," he told broadcasters ahead of the second match.

T20Is these days are often played with quick turnarounds, as has been the case during the New Zealand-India series. The two teams began the five-match series on Thursday and are back in action on Saturday, with less than 48 hours between the end of the opener and the start of the second game at the same venue.

Phillips, who made an unbeaten 82 off 40 balls in the opener, spoke about the importance of recovery during the short turnaround.

"Yeah, I think it's about getting rest and recovery in. Obviously, it's been fantastic down here in Christchurch, weather-wise. So I think a few of the boys got out there, played some golf, tried to get their minds off the game as much as possible, and then came back here refreshed and recovered for today," he said.

He also said that he took a short break with his friends to Newton Peak and the Southern Alps between the two matches.

"Yeah, for me, I actually took a couple of mates up flying. We went out to Newton Peak and to the Southern Alps. Fantastic. It was great to get out there, just free the mind for a little bit, do something that I love and, I guess, come back, enjoy the evening, and rest and recover for today," he added.

Phillips switched to left-handed batting against Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the final ball of New Zealand's innings and struck a four to take the Kiwis to 225/4. He admitted that he practices batting left-handed during the IPL and put those learnings into action during the game.

"Yeah, I try to, especially when we have, I guess, the time overseas, like the IPL, for example, where you've got lots of net opportunities, lots of sidearms, lots of throwers. I guess it's a little bit remiss not to use that opportunity to upskill.

"And a big part of it was there, but then also if I have the opportunity before training sometimes, I just get a little bit of left-handed work in, just to, I guess, keep working on it. You can't use it if you don't practice it," he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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