Huge blow to New Zealand, star player ruled out of tri-series involving South Africa and Zimbabwe

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Huge blow to New Zealand, star player ruled out of tri-series involving South Africa and Zimbabwe
New Zealand's Glenn Phillips celebrates with teammates after taking the catch to dismiss India's Shubman Gill during the ICC Champions Trophy ODI final against India at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on March 9, 2025.

Story Highlights:

Glenn Phillips suffered a groin injury during MLC 2025.

Phillips has been replaced by Tim Robinson for the remainder of tri-series.

The extent of Phillips' injury was revealed when he was assessed upon joining squad in Zimbabwe.

New Zealand's star batting all-rounder Glenn Phillips has been ruled out of the tri-series in Zimbabwe involving South Africa. Phillips suffered an injury in his right groin during the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 final. As per BlackCaps, Phillips was assessed on arrival in Zimbabwe. He will require a few weeks for rehabilitation.

Tim Robinson who scored a half-century against South Africa in New Zealand's first match of the tri-series, will stay with the squad for the remainder of the tournament. Robinson had joined as cover for players who were playing in the MLC final between Washington Freedom and MI New York.

Phillips is the second player to get ruled out of the tri-series due to injury suffered during the MLC 2025. Finn Allen got injured as well while playing for San Francisco Unicorns in the T20 tournament on US soil. 

“It’s obviously disappointing to lose someone of Glenn’s calibre,” said Walter in a press release. “Much like Finn, we really feel for Glenn and that he misses out on this series. 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.”

 

 

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Replacement in Test squad to be named soon

Phillips will be on the flight back to New Zealand alongside Mitch Hay and Jimmy Neesham. The two players were also covers for players involved in MLC final. Meanwhile, Phillips' replacement for the two-Test series in Zimbabwe is yet to be named. The Test series will begin on July 30.

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Who is Phillips' replacement in T20I squad 

Against South Africa on July 16, Robinson rescued New Zealand from 70/5 and helped them post a total of 173/5. Walking in to bat at no.3, Robinson hit six fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 57-ball 75. He shared an unbeaten 103-run partnership for the sixth wicket with debutant Bevon Jacobs who scored 44 runs from 30 balls on his T20I debut.

Robinson has played 11 T20Is so far and scored 268 runs at an average of 29.77, including two half-centuries. his strike rate is 131.37.