Always in form. Absolutely brilliant. Graceful. Level-headed.
No big prizes for guessing which team-mate Black Caps power hitter Glenn Phillips is talking about as the T20 World Cup looms larger.
Glenn Phillips, left, and Devon Conway batting together for the Black Caps.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Phillips put his own skills on display in Wednesday’s 48-run win over Bangladesh in the ongoing tri-series in Christchurch, needing just 24 balls to belt a boundary-laden 60.
But it was yet another high-class innings from Devon Conway which again anchored New Zealand to victory.
The 31-year-old left-hander’s 64 from 40 balls took him to 219 runs over four tri-series matches, essentially locking him in at the top of the order for the World Cup starting in Australia next week.
“I’m pretty sure he’s always in form that guy,” Phillips said of Conway. “He’s absolutely brilliant.
“To have his calm mindedness – he’s able to hit all areas of the ground, 360 [degrees] – and he just plays with such gracefulness.
“To be able to go out there with him and build partnerships, we’ve done it a lot over the past couple of years. It’s very familiar territory for him and I to bat together and I’m pretty sure everyone else. Whenever anyone’s in, usually he’s in.
Conway has been nothing short of a revelation in the almost two years since his Black Caps debut.
The South African-born star averages more than 50 in both tests and T20 internationals, while his ODI average hovers above 40.
When it came to the shortest format, Phillips said Conway was the full package.
“He does actually have power as well … he’s able to clear the ropes if need be but he also understands that there’s guys in the order who’s job it is to do that.
“He does his thing his way and that’s exactly why he’s in the side
“Both him and Kane bat very similar and to be able to use those two among all our firepower is crucial, especially in a World Cup where scenarios and pressure gets on. Those two have such level heads.”
While some viewed the tri-series as essentially a warm-up for the World Cup, Phillips said the matches had been important.
Especially so, given Hagley Oval had similar dimensions to many of the big grounds they would encounter in Australia.
Having booked their spot in Friday’s final against Pakistan with their second win over Bangladesh, Phillips said the New Zealand side were keen to perform well in the decider.
“For us, to be able to play in the pressure of any final is invaluable experience. Especially going towards a World Cup where things are even higher stakes.
“We played in the [World Cup] final [last year] and we didn’t necessarily comes off the best in that one, so to be able to have any sort of pressure scenario where there’s a cup on the line is crucial.”
The Black Caps have two World Cup warm-up matches in Brisbane, against South Africa on Monday and India on Wednesday, before their tournament opener against the hosts in Sydney on Saturday.
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