Glenn Phillips stated his audacious switch-hitting present in a current Tremendous Smash match was no gimmick. Picture: AFP
WELLINGTON:
New Zealand batter Glenn Phillips stated his audacious switch-hitting present in a current Tremendous Smash match was no gimmick however a tactical choice he has honed for years to counter left-arm spin.
In final week’s match towards Central Districts, Otago right-hander Phillips switched stance whereas off-spinner Dean Foxcroft was halfway by means of his run-up, and hit the bowler for a 4 with what may have been mistaken for a full-blooded cowl drive from a left-handed batter.
Jaws dropped additional within the ultimate over of the Otago innings when Phillips took up a left-hander’s stance even earlier than left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox had begun his run-up and hit the bowler for a six.
“I do get pleasure from my left-handed batting coaching,” Phillips, who smashed an unbeaten 90 off 48 balls within the recreation, stated earlier than leaving for New Zealand’s white-ball tour of India on Tuesday.
“Clearly, I do it for a number of causes. One, simply to maintain each arms and either side of the mind working, however (additionally) for the chance to take down left-arm spin.”
England’s Kevin Pieterson pioneered switch-hitting, whereas Australian duo David Warner and Glenn Maxwell had it of their armoury however used it principally to discover gaps behind or sq. of the wicket.
“I’ve all the time been in a position to bat left-handed. It is one thing I’ve achieved since I used to be younger,” Phillips stated.
“I used to be going to change once I was about 10-years-old and truly bat left-handed full time, however determined to stay with the fitting hand because it was.”
Groups usually make use of a left-arm orthodox spinner to take the ball away from a right-handed batter, particularly within the 20-overs format.
Phillips stated he even confronted pacers within the nets with a switched stance to enhance his left-handed batting.
“It has been a couple of years because it’s actually had an opportunity to come back out … however for it to truly repay, and for years of labor to come back out on the sector was actually (pleasing),” he added.
