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'Myself & Williamson Playing Here...' - Phillips Thanks IPL After Thumping Win Over England

image-lnij4t3bPhillips bagged two bag wicket vs ENG (AP Photo)

New Zealand's limited-overs maverick Glenn Phillips attributed his team's successful beginning at the ICC World Cup 2023 to the wealth of experience gained through the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Phillips believes IPL experience helped New Zealand a great deal as they seamlessly adjusted to a tricky surface in Ahmedabad and dominated England. Even though the Black Caps began the opening match of the tournament as second favourites, they ended up shocking the Three Lions with a remarkable nine-wicket victory. 

The Kiwis had earlier adapted to the pitches on offer in Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram and defeated Pakistan and South Africa during the warm-up games before announcing their arrival in grand fashion in Ahmedabad with a disciplined bowling effort and an imposing batting display. 

Phillips, who has been part of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) set-ups in the IPL, said the familiarity gained with surfaces and conditions through the annual two-month T20 carnival has benefitted him and the rest of the BlackCaps outfit immensely in their impressive World Cup start. 


IPL experience key to New Zealand's bright start - Glenn Phillips

"We've got guys who have played in various IPL teams," Phillips told the press. "Myself and Kane playing here obviously brings a little bit of an advantage to giving information to the boys. We try to take all the information and put it together and as I said, come on the day and adapt to the conditions as fast as possible." 

"Obviously, a pitch can play differently one day than it will for another. So, for us to be able to collate that information, understand what we have in our bank, and stick to our strengths and skills on that particular pitch will be very important," he added. 

Phillips said cricket's 'Western Bloc' is more accustomed to the skills required for Indian conditions and would enter the matches on more of an equal footing against the tournament hosts India and the rest of the subcontinent teams than they did in the past as foreign players. The cricketer emphasized how the Kiwis take"pride" in adjusting quickly to the challenge at hands and taking care of minor but crucial details, which allows them to punch above their weight. 

"I think that's what we pride ourselves on understanding that you get one shot at each team and it comes down to who can adjust to the conditions on the day. Most of us are all actually very foreign to these conditions, barring probably guys who have had a lot of success in the IPL over the years," he added. 

New Zealand have a great opportunity to continue their winning run in the tournament with their next match scheduled against the competition underdogs Netherlands in Hyderabad on Monday (October 9).