New Delhi: Star New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips has been ruled out of the ongoing T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe due to a groin injury. The tri-series involves New Zealand and South Africa apart from hosts Zimbabwe. Phillips had suffered the injury while he was playing for Washington Freedom in the Major League Cricket (MLC) final on Sunday.
As per a statement from New Zealand cricket, the star player was assessed completely upon arrival in Zimbabwe. It was later determined that Phillips would require a number of weeks to recover from the injury suffered. Tim Robinson, who was added in the T20 squad late, will remain with the team for the rest of the tri-series.
A replacement for Phillips for the Test squad has not been named and will be announced in due course of time. Meanwhile, New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said that it’s obviously very disappointing to lose someone of Glenn’s calibre and they as a unit are feeling very bad that he will miss out on the entire series.
Glenn Phillips has been withdrawn from the Zimbabwe tour after injuring his right groin. pic.twitter.com/N7cjoMzQiN
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 18, 2025
What Rob Walter said
‘We know he was eager to get out on the field for the Blackcaps and unfortunately, he won’t be able to do that for this series. We know he’ll work hard to get himself back onto the park, and I look forward to when that happens.’
Meanwhile, Phillips will return to New Zealand along with teammate and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay who were also called in as cover for the start of the tri-series alongside Robinson. Phillips played 10 matches for Washington Freedom in MLC which included the final game which the team lost against MI New York scoring 186 runs at an impressive average and strike rate.