While not quite a modern-day Twenty20 mercenary, Kiwi Glenn Phillips is making a name for himself as one of the world’s most destructive batsmen in cricket’s shortest form.
The dazzling right-hander will be a key cog in the Blackcaps' upcoming T20 Cricket World Cup campaign, providing early innings impetus with the bat and dynamic fielding in the park.
But his power at the top of the order has opened the eyes of world cricket, with Phillips, 24, sitting atop the batting charts for sixes hit (89) across the entire year in the 20-over format.
That type of hitting power hasn't come easy for the South African-born Aucklander, who just 18 months ago was on the outside looking in at a jam-packed Blackcaps batting order.
Phillips knew he had to make changes to improve his game.
"I think it's a combination of working hard in the gym, as well as understanding my game," Phillips says. "[Understanding] what my strengths are, and understanding the line and length that I'm looking to play to be able to hit the maximum.
"I've definitely put on some weight and started throwing a bit more tin around [in the gym], so when it comes to batting in the middle, if I do need to take it deeper, I can - but I always know that I can catch up and clear the rope if I had to.
"I think understanding what shots can hit those sixes allows me to keep a cool head, and play the right balls and hit them for six - as opposed to just trying to hit everything for six."
On the road playing T20 cricket since May, Phillips is primed to make an international statement at the World Cup in the UAE.
After starring in the Caribbean Premier League, T20 Blast and The Hundred, Phillips has finally arrived in the desert country to prepare alongside his teammates, arguably the most-prepared player in the squad for what lies ahead.
But Phillips says it's important to continue managing his workload with a busy six months of international cricket on the horizon.
"With games over the last six months being so close together, I definitely made the mistake a couple of times of working too hard and being stiff for the game.
"It's almost about pulling back and understanding that the work I did before I left New Zealand is enough to get me through - to the point where I can get home and do another winter, where I can build that level of strength and stamina once again, to be able to go to the next six months or whatever it is.
"It's been a long trip away, but I have had my partner with me, so that has made quarantine stints a little easier - having someone with you is important.
"Going about the different competitions has been a real good experience and taught me to adjust to different pitches in different conditions, and that has been key in coming into this World Cup and hopefully performing."
The Blackcaps begin their campaign against Pakistan on October 27.
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