Glenn Phillips hits fastest T20 ton for New Zealand as hosts bag series

Glenn Phillips has the fastest T20I hundred for New Zealand. (NZ cricket/Twitter)

Glenn Phillips smashed the fastest Twenty20 international hundred for New Zealand to help the hosts to a 72-run win against West Indies on Sunday and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

The middle-order batsman hit eight sixes and 10 fours in his 108 off 51 balls as the hosts, who won the opening T20 by five wickets, posted a massive 238 for three in their 20 overs after put in to bat first at Mount Maunganui.

238 on the board at @BayOvalOfficial. The team’s 3rd highest T20 total. Glenn Phillips 108 leading the way. Devon Conway finishes 65*. @windiescricket chase coming up after a 10 minute break. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/ig6dG1cBIQ #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/pHAHksogFB

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 29, 2020

West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals in their chase and could only reach 166 for nine.

Colin Munro had taken 47 balls to reach his century against West Indies at the same ground in 2018 for New Zealand’s fastest hundred in the shortest format of the game, but Phillips bettered the mark by taking a delivery less for his ton.

None of the West Indies bowlers could make an impact, with fast bowler Keemo Paul returning the worst figures among them, conceding 64 off his four overs.

60* – @BLACKCAPS‘ Glenn Phillips’ current score of 60 runs is his highest in T20I cricket, while his current strike rate of 240 is the second-highest of any player to have scored 30+ runs in an innings at Bay Oval. Peak. pic.twitter.com/a6Ak4Sodqn

— OptaJason (@OptaJason) November 29, 2020

The 23-year-old Phillips added 184 for the third wicket with Devon Conway, who made an unbeaten 65 off 37 deliveries.

“It was absolutely brilliant,” Phillips told the host broadcaster during the innings break.

“Dev is an absolutely amazing player to play with and keeps you calm under pressure. To be a part of a partnership that big is just unbelievable. It was a lot of fun.”