Glenn Philips confirms Gloucestershire return ahead of T20 Blast

The dynamic New Zealand batter Glenn Philips has confirmed his reassociation with Gloucestershire in the upcoming T20 Blast. Philips, 25, was the top scorer for the club in the English T20 league with 500 runs from 12 innings at an extraordinary strike rate of 163.39. Further, he ended up being the tournament’s second-highest run-getter behind Leicestershire’s Josh Inglis, which suggests how incredible he was in the mega event. 

In his reaction, Philips admitted to having enjoyed his stint with Gloucestershire last season and said that he has a surreal feeling about rejoining the Bristol-based cricket club for this year’s T20 Blast as well. The Kiwi international also expressed his excitement to join the squad very soon. 

“I really enjoyed my time at Glos last year and I am very glad to be returning this season”, Philips said. “It’s going to be an exciting year and I can’t wait to get it underway”, he further added. 

On the other hand, Gloucestershire’s head coach Dale Benkenstein said that the club gleefully welcomes the dashing New Zealander as he would be a fantastic addition to their squad given his potential and experience. 

“Glenn is a huge talent and was one of the best players in the Vitality Blast last year, so we’re delighted to have him back this season”, Benkenstein said. “Glenn offers us a fantastic option at the top of the order. His addition, with his pedigree and experience, to an already strong white-ball side gives us a great chance of going toe-to-toe with every opposition we come up against”, the club’s head coach added. 

However, Philips might be unavailable in the initial stage of the tournament starting on 25th May if his IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad qualifies for the playoffs. Apart from Philips, Gloucestershire are expected to sign Naseem Shah and Marcus Harris to fill their two remaining overseas slots, with the former’s availability being subjective to his inclusion in Pakistan’s ODI squad for the West Indies series. 

Gloucestershire will lock horns with Middlesex in their opening game of the competition on 26th May.