Glenn Phillips' emotional tribute after maiden Test ton

Glenn Phillips 100 off 135 balls vs England at The Oval – his maiden Test century in his 19th Test. Became 3rd New Zealander after Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill to score international hundreds in all 3 formats.

Phillips became only the third New Zealand player to score international hundreds in all three formats, after Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill, when he steered Jofra Archer into the off side on the second morning at The Oval. He celebrated his hundred by raising his bat and looking to the sky, and later revealed the significance of the moment.

Reached the ton a day before the 1st anniversary of his father Roland’s passing. “It’s the anniversary of my dad’s passing tomorrow… That made it pretty special. That was one for him.” Looked to the heavens after reaching 100.Said Test cricket was his dad’s favourite format: “I know he’s watching at some stage.”

Phillips scored his hundred in three distinct phases. He raced out of the blocks on Wednesday night, pinging Sonny Baker and Josh Tongue through the off side to reach 33 off his first 23 balls. Phillips then scored 16 off his next 51 deliveries to reach 49 not out overnight, withstanding a short-ball barrage from Archer. On Thursday, he added 51 off his last 61 balls to reach exactly 100.

Came in at 49* overnight, survived a ferocious spell from Jofra Archer on Day 1 – “dejavu” from a 2019 tour game where Archer hit him in the same spots. Scored his hundred off Archer with a single through the off side before lunch Day 2.Helped NZ post 391 all out after adding 100 runs on Day 2. England ended Day 2 at 222/6, still 169 behind.

Remarkably, Phillips has only batted in the top six in one of his 19 Tests, on debut in Sydney in early 2020 as a late replacement for Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls. But that fact underlines the determination of New Zealand's management to find him a role in the side, given his obvious talent, athleticism, and dedication to self-improvement across disciplines.

"We were very spoiled for choice over there with the number of facilities and people that we had on board… It's just a matter of trying to get used to that red ball when you get over here, and obviously the Dukes is always slightly different [to the Kookaburra]. For me, it was then about making that adjustment when we got to Lord's, trying to adjust as quick as possible."

Bottom line: Phillips’ first Test ton was more than runs – it was a tribute to his late father Roland on the eve of his death anniversary, and it put NZ in control of the 2nd Test at The Oval