Glenn Phillips Honors Late Father with Maiden Test Century Against England

In a touching tribute, New Zealand cricketer Glenn Phillips dedicated his first Test century to his late father, Roland, achieving this milestone just before the anniversary of his passing. Phillips became the third New Zealander to score international hundreds in all formats, showcasing his talent during the second Test against England. His innings, marked by an emotional celebration and a challenging duel with Jofra Archer, reflects his dedication to the sport and his father's memory. As the match progresses, Phillips' contributions, alongside his teammates, are pivotal in the ongoing contest.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 19, 2026, 06:45 IST

A Heartfelt Tribute

Glenn Phillips, the New Zealand cricketer, dedicated his first Test century to his late father, Roland, achieving this milestone just a day before the first anniversary of his passing during the ongoing second Test against England, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

Joining an Elite Group

With this achievement, Phillips became the third New Zealand player to score international centuries in all three formats, following in the footsteps of Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill. He reached this landmark by guiding a delivery from Jofra Archer through the offside on the second morning at The Oval.

An Emotional Dedication

"Tomorrow marks the anniversary of my dad's passing," Phillips shared, reflecting on the emotional weight of the occasion. He celebrated by raising his bat skyward, explaining the significance of the moment. "With our boys performing well, perhaps I won't be needed tomorrow. But today is significant, and he played a crucial role in my life. I know he would have loved to witness this, as Test cricket was his favorite format... I believe he's watching over me now."

Innings Breakdown

Phillips' innings unfolded in three distinct phases. He began aggressively on Wednesday evening, scoring 33 runs off his first 23 balls against Sonny Baker and Josh Tongue. However, he slowed down, managing only 16 runs from his next 51 balls, finishing the day unbeaten on 49 after facing a challenging spell from Archer. The following day, he added 51 runs from 61 balls to complete his century.

The Battle with Archer

A notable moment in Phillips' innings was his duel with Archer, where he adeptly ducked and swayed under a barrage of short balls aimed at him. He recalled a similar experience from a New Zealand A tour match in 2019. "We've had one of those duels before, about six or seven years ago in New Zealand, and he hit me in the same spots. He bowls with incredible speed and precision, and he kept coming back. It was an exciting contest for the crowd, and sometimes you just have to enjoy it and hope for the best."

Team Spirit Above All

Phillips expressed that he always felt a century was on the horizon but downplayed its significance, echoing Kane Williamson's team-first philosophy. "Kane often emphasizes that we score runs, but they aren't just ours. We're merely custodians of those runs for the team. We aim to contribute to the team's success," he stated. He added, "While I wasn't specifically training for red-ball cricket, I focused on maintaining a still head and playing the ball as late as possible, right under my eyes."

Current Match Status

Following Phillips' century, the Blackcaps received additional support from Daryl Mitchell (44) and Kyle Jamieson (41). Jacob Bethel emerged as England's top wicket-taker with figures of 3/26, while Archer, Mathew Fisher, and Sonny Baker each claimed two wickets. At the end of Day 2, England's score stood at 222/6, bolstered by a fifty from opener Emilio Gay and a solid 46 from skipper Joe Root off 57 balls. Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke each took two wickets.