New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips grabbed attention on social media by wearing sunglasses while facing Jofra Archer during the second Test match against England at The Oval in London.
The Kiwis achieved a significant win, defeating England by 253 runs to level the three-match series 1-1 after losing the first Test. Phillips made a standout contribution by scoring a century in New Zealand’s first innings.
After the match, reporters asked him about his choice to wear sunglasses against a top bowler like Archer. He explained that he had issues with the sight screen, which made it difficult to see the ball properly. He also humorously mentioned it was a way to protect his head.
“When you’re squinting at the sight screen, 140 km/h is really fast. I’d rather see the ball clearly than deal with a glare in my eyes. One helps me keep my head on and the other keeps it off,” he said during a press conference.
Phillips noted that his eyes are sensitive to light, which has been a problem for him in the past and has led to him losing his wicket. This situation made him decide to wear sunglasses during the challenging phases of the game.
“We have a similar sight screen in Dunedin, so it’s not my first time batting with sunglasses. My eyes are very sensitive to light. I’ve been bowled out a few times without them. It’s a bit of pride to wear them, but it helps me see the ball and perform better,” he added.
Watch the clip here –