Blackcaps batsman Glenn Phillips is finding form before the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, striking an unbeaten 80 runs from 39 balls for Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League.
Coming to the crease at 37/2 in chase of the Royals' target of 191, Phillips unleashed a monstrous innings, containing two fours and a whopping nine sixes in his side's eight-wicket victory over St Lucia Kings.
The 24-year-old combined in an unbeaten 154-run partnership with West Indies international Kyle Mayers (81 not out), as the Royals cruised to their target with more than an over to spare.
Phillips' nine sixes were more than the rest of his team (seven) combined.
The innings was his last in the CPL, with the Royals out of finals contention at the bottom of the table. The win was just their third of the season.
Phillips finishes the 2021 edition of the CPL with 254 runs at an average of 31.75 and will depart for the United Arab Emirates, where he'll link up with Rajasthan Royals for the resumption of the Indian Premier League, which was suspended, due to COVID-19.
Phillips will join Rajasthan as a replacement for England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler.
The Blackcaps begin their T20 World Cup campaign on October 26, facing Pakistan in Sharjah.
New Zealand are also drawn against India and Afghanistan, as well as two teams still to qualify before the tournament begins next month.
Meanwhile, a second-string Blackcaps side have just arrived in Pakistan for three one-day internationals and five T20 internationals, starting Friday.
