Glenn Phillips is a New Zealand international cricketer who has represented the Black Caps in Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals. A right-handed batter and right-arm off-spin bowler, he has developed from a wicketkeeper-batter into a versatile outfield player and all-round contributor.
Early life and career
Phillips was born on 6 December 1996 in East London, South Africa, and moved to New Zealand with his family as a child. He grew up in Auckland and attended Sacred Heart College.
He represented New Zealand at the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh. His early senior domestic career was with Auckland, where his aggressive batting and wicketkeeping helped establish him as a promising limited-overs player. He later moved to Otago in New Zealand domestic cricket.
International breakthrough
Phillips made his Twenty20 international debut against South Africa at Eden Park in February 2017. His Test debut followed against Australia in Sydney in January 2020, when he scored a half-century in New Zealand's first innings. He made his one-day international debut against Ireland in July 2022.
One of his breakthrough performances came against West Indies at Mount Maunganui in November 2020. He scored 108, reaching his century from 46 deliveries, then the fastest hundred by a New Zealand batter in men's Twenty20 internationals.
At the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Phillips scored 104 against Sri Lanka in Sydney. The innings helped New Zealand recover from early wickets and secure a decisive group-stage victory.
Playing style and wider career
Phillips is particularly associated with forceful middle-order batting, quick running and athletic fielding. Although wicketkeeping was an important part of his early career, his international role has increasingly combined batting, outfield work and off-spin.
His bowling has also delivered significant Test performances. Against Australia in Wellington in March 2024, he took five wickets for 45 runs in Australia's second innings, recording his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Beyond New Zealand, Phillips has played franchise cricket in competitions including the Indian Premier League and Caribbean Premier League. His teams have included Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Jamaica Tallawahs.
