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Xtra Time Web Desk: Nobody has hit more sixes in men’s Twenty20 cricket this year than Glenn Phillips. The stockily built BlackCaps cricketer has cleared the ropes 89 times so far in 2021, seven more times than his closest rival, England’s Liam Livingstone.

His explosive power has been utilised in the T20 Blast in England, the Caribbean Premier League, and the Indian Premier League. Kane Williamson led New Zealand are hoping to make the most of his six hitting prowess at the T20 World Cup in UAE.

Phillips has had a breakout year as a big-hitting batsman, and he said there were two secrets behind his success – strength work in the gym and clarity around his strengths and weaknesses.

“I've definitely put on some weight and started throwing a bit more tin around,” Phillips said in a virtual press conference on Monday.

He added, “I think understanding what my strong shots are to be able to hit those sixes allows me to keep a cool head and play the right balls and hit them for six, as opposed to just trying to hit everything for six.”

“I think it's a combination of working hard in the gym as well as understanding my game and what my strengths are and understanding the line and length that I'm looking for in order to be able to hit the maximum.

Talking about his closest rival Liam Livingstone, Phillips said, “Liam is an incredible ball striker, so he's always going to be a tough one to keep off my heels and with the World Cup coming up and a couple of matches left in the year still it’s going to be a tough chase to see who finishes on top there.”

Phillips has been on the road since May, first in England, then in the Caribbean, and finally in the UAE, where the Indian Premier League is being played ahead of the World Cup.