Few players in the world can do what Glenn Phillips does.
But now, having sat out the entirety of the Black Caps’ home summer, the 29-year-old allrounder is poised to end his wait to once again represent his country at the highest level.
Despite being one of New Zealand’s genuine match-winners – capable of turning games with the bat, ball and in the field – Phillips hasn’t worn the black cap since March’s Champions Trophy final defeat to India.
In that time, a groin injury suffered playing in American Major League Cricket has meant Phillips having to work his way back to fitness by playing for Otago.
Last week, though, after deputising as a sub-fielder for an injury-ravaged Black Caps side in Christchurch, Phillips is now back with the squad in a playing capacity and will likely slot straight back into the XI for the second test against the West Indies at the Basin Reserve, starting on Wednesday.
“He’s been great,” captain Tom Latham said of Phillips. “He’s played a couple of first-class games, one here a few weeks ago.
“I’m sure everyone’s seen he’s been lifting the house down, from a strength point of view. He’s ready to go, he joined us for the last couple of days down at Hagley.
“It’s great to see him back in the squad. He’s such an important member of not only the test group, but the white ball formats as well.
“To see him running around and doing his thing, I’m sure he’ll be ready to go to get stuck in.”
Phillips’ return comes at a time of big change for the Black Caps. Wicketkeeper Mitch Hay will debut in place of the injured Tom Blundell, who will miss this test at the very least with a hamstring tear.
In the bowling ranks, after Matt Henry and Nathan Smith went down at Hagley Oval with calf and side injuries respectively, one of Michael Rae or Kristian Clarke will form a new-look bowling attack, led by Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes or Blair Tickner.
If his place in New Zealand’s white-ball sides are anything to go by, Phillips should slot into the Black Caps’ order as one of the top six batters in the country.
However, as the Black Caps look to avoid making too many changes and upsetting the balance of the side, Latham said Hay will likely come straight into the XI in Blundell’s place at No 6, leaving Phillips at No 7.
“It’s probably nice to keep that continuity going, in terms of the balance of what we have,” he said.
“They’re all discussions, [but] I think at the moment we’ll stick with what we’ve got.”
Phillips should come into the side for Michael Bracewell, who admitted he wouldn’t have played the series opener at Hagley Oval if his teammate was fit.
Bracewell helped rescue New Zealand’s first innings with the bat before getting through more than 50 overs with the ball on the final day as the Black Caps were without two bowlers.
Two years ago at the Basin Reserve, on a ground that’s not supposed to support spin bowling, Phillips claimed a career-best 5-45 against Australia.
And given his superior batting record to Bracewell’s, averaging just over 33 after 15 tests, with five half-centuries, Latham outlined that Phillips will come straight back into the XI, at Bracewell’s expense.
“Glenn’s been in that position for a period of time,” Latham said. “When Glenn was fit, he’s going to fit straight back in.
“From Braces’ point of view, he did all he could, he did what we required from him from a playing point of view.
“The way he batted in the first innings at Hagley was outstanding. The way he bowled, unrewarded through what he did in that last innings. It would have been nice for him to get a couple of those opportunities.
“From our point of view, we’re able to see the depth we’re able to create in this squad is only a good thing for us.”
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.