Reaction times measured in nanoseconds. Covering a small acre of territory – in the air and on the ground.
New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips is making fielding in the gully – arguably cricket’s toughest position – look easy.
For the second time in nine months, Phillips has jagged a screamer at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, flying at full length to reel in catches.
Phillips’ latest split-second reaction grab on Friday sent England’s Ollie Pope on his way for 77 as the tourists pursued New Zealand’s first-innings total of 348.
The 27-year-old all-rounder has been regarded as one of the best fielders for some time, not least because of his efforts the last time New Zealand turned out in Christchurch.
Australian star Marnus Labuschagne fell in remarkably similar fashion for 90 against the Kiwis in March – caught at full length by a diving Phillips, with veteran seamer Tim Southee the bowler on both occasions.
Compare the pair: Glenn Phillips’ diving caches to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne (left) and Ollie Pope (right).Credit: twitter
Phillips’ prowess in the field carries extra weight given he’s patrolling the gully region, where edges typically fly faster than elsewhere in the slips cordon. Fielders here also contend with full-blooded shots off the face of the bat.
Some of the best fielders in recent times have cut their teeth at gully, with Cameron Green becoming one of Australia’s most reliable in the field.
The burly West Australian fits a similar mould to teammate Mitch Marsh and legendary gully fielder Matt Hayden, regarded as one of the best to ever occupy the position.
While each member of that trio is renowned for pushing 190cm and possessing hands the size of dinner plates, 180cm Phillips (who has also kept wicket at international level) fits a similar mould to 1980s gully stalwart Geoff Marsh (Mitch’s father).
The likes of Herschelle Gibbs (leaving aside his World Cup fumbling) and Paul Collingwood were also lethal at gully on their day, while modern fielding maestros Jonty Rhodes and Ricky Ponting flirted with the position at times as well, but their ground fielding pushed them further around the ring to cover and point.
And Phillips is building a very handy gully CV of his own.
