Glenn Phillips has explained the sunglasses he wore while batting against Jofra Archer in the second Test, an image that drew plenty of attention on social media. New Zealand won the match at The Oval by 253 runs, setting up a decider in the series.
Glare and pace
Phillips told a press conference that the sight screen and bright conditions made it hard to pick up the ball. Facing speeds of around 140 km/h, he said, he would rather see the ball properly than battle a big glare, and the sunglasses helped him do that.
He added that this was not the first time. A sight screen very similar to the one at The Oval is used in Dunedin, so he has batted in sunglasses before. His eyes are very sensitive to light, and he has been bowled a few times when playing without them, so he decided to swallow his pride and put them on.
The match
Phillips made a fine century in New Zealand’s first innings, which helped the visitors build a match-winning total. England were bowled out for 209 in their fourth-innings chase, with the New Zealand attack clinical throughout.
Fast bowler Matt Henry was the standout with 11 wickets in the match and took the Player of the Match award.
