Glenn Phillips used an unusual but effective way of leaving the crease versus Sri Lanka.
During the last over of New Zealand’s innings, Phillips bent towards the crease in a manner similar to athletes before a sprint, and the moment Lahiru Kumara released the delivery, he rushed towards the striker's end.
After the game, Glenn Phillips said it is his responsibility to stay in the crease and leave at the right time, adding that the bowlers are well within their rights to take off the bails if the non-striker is backing up.
"From a sprinter's start when you're trying not to be out of the crease as much as possible -- there's been a lot going around about Mankads and leaving the crease," Phillips said at the post-match press conference.
"At the end of the day, it's my responsibility to make sure that I'm in the crease and leave at the right time. If the bowler is doing his job, then he has the right to be able to take the bails off.
"For me to be able to get into that start, that position as quick as possible, it just made sense," he added.
Glenn Phillips starred with the bat in New Zealand’s thumping 65-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Super 12 stage.
Batting at No. 4, the right-hander slammed 104 off 64 balls, propelling the Kiwis to a highly competitive 167/7 in 20 overs. His knock was studded with 10 fours and 4 sixes.
"It was very much spur of the moment. I guess the position was to be able to see the bowlers and take off as quick as possible," he further stated while talking about his Olympic race-style sprint at non-striker’s end.
Notably, Deepti Sharma of India had recently run out Charlie Dean of England at Lord's in the third Women's ODI, leading to several strong reactions from all parts of the cricketing world with many standing up for Deepti, while few particularly from England called it an act against the 'Spirit of Cricket'.
Deepti was well within her rights to run out the non-striker as ICC has legitimized this mode of dismissal.
(With PTI inputs)