Glenn Phillips turned heads on the opening day of the second Test at The Oval, not just for his batting but for the way he handled one of the toughest spells of the match. The New Zealand all-rounder even put on a pair of sunglasses to deal with the glare, then stayed unbeaten on 49 as New Zealand reached 291 for 7 at stumps after England stand-in captain Joe Root opted to bowl first on a green surface.

Phillips asked for the sunglasses during the 67th over after struggling with sunlight reflecting off the sightscreen in the final session. It was a small but striking moment, and it perfectly summed up the kind of character he brings to Test cricket. But the real challenge arrived soon after, when Jofra Archer was brought back for a fourth spell and went straight at him with short-pitched bowling.

Having already taken advantage of some wayward deliveries from debutant Sonny Baker, Phillips now had to deal with Archer at full throttle. The first ball he faced while wearing the sunglasses climbed sharply and struck him on the shoulder, setting up an absorbing battle between bat and ball. Archer kept targeting him with a barrage of bouncers, and one delivery flew past Phillips’ head and left him on the ground.

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Even then, Phillips showed the same composure and flair that have made him such a valuable player for New Zealand. After being knocked over by the pace and bounce, he looked back towards the dressing room and gave a thumbs-up, a moment that drew laughter from his teammates and captured his easy-going personality.

Daryl Mitchell, who watched the innings unfold from the other end, said Phillips thrives in these pressure-filled moments. He described him as an entertainer who enjoys the spotlight and added that the sunglasses only made the scene more fitting for his style. Mitchell also praised the way Phillips stood up to Archer’s pace and aggression, calling it a seriously demanding spell to survive.

Glenn Phillips wearing goggles while batting against England in 2nd Test.😎

– Phillips facing Jofra Archer’s bouncers using GOGGLES.😊 pic.twitter.com/ysrOWTPSIX

— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) June 17, 2026

The New Zealand batter has been in strong touch since arriving in England, especially after a difficult IPL stint with Gujarat Titans, where he spent much of the season on the sidelines after losing his place to Jason Holder. Since then, he has become one of New Zealand’s most reliable performers in the series.

At Lord’s in the first Test, Phillips made 34 and 44 not out in low-scoring innings where New Zealand were bowled out for 113 and 138. His unbeaten 49 at The Oval was another important contribution, giving the visitors valuable runs in a testing situation and helping them finish the day in a strong position.

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Mitchell said Phillips is “really clear” about his game and process, and that his ability to stay present ball by ball sets him apart. He also stressed how important it was for Phillips to remain unbeaten at stumps, giving New Zealand a fresh start on day two and a chance to build more pressure on England’s bowlers.

With Root back in charge and New Zealand well placed, Phillips’ cool-headed resistance and fearless approach ensured the visitors ended day one with momentum on their side.