Now we just need to see the Black Caps and Otago all-rounder back in the middle, taking wickets and clubbing sixes.
That might not be too far away, judging by his social media posts.
The 28-year-old has been sidelined with a groin injury since mid-July and has not suited up for New Zealand since March.
But he is closing in on full fitness and has been hitting the gym hard.
In a post early this week, he can be seen deadlifting 200kg.
He also trained with the Black Caps in Dunedin yesterday and looked to be moving freely.
But the right-hander was cautious when asked when he would make a playing return.
‘‘When you do both groins, the rehab and recovery is a little bit longer,’’ Phillips said.
‘‘I'm feeling really strong and now it's just about loading it up and getting ready to play at some stage.
‘‘I guess it comes down to, if I give everything 100% and if at 100% I'm a little bit weak then we're not ready to go, so we'll just wait until that stage.’’
The domestic one-day competition is on pause until early February. That would have been the ideal format for Phillips to make his return. Instead, he will get a run for Otago during the Plunket Shield at some stage.
The Volts' next assignment is a first-class game against Wellington at the Basin Reserve beginning on November 18. That is only a week away.
Their next match following that is a home fixture against Canterbury starting on November 26.
‘‘You definitely need to test things in an environment before going to the international scene.
‘‘When you play an international game, you're required to give as much as you possibly can in each game, and until I'm ready to do that, we'll keep loading as we go.’’
The break has not exactly been a blessing. But it has allowed Phillips to focus on other aspects of his life.
‘‘I think a lot of guys would be frustrated with an injury such as this and being out for quite a while, but at the end of the day, I've got a lot of things on my plate, which is fantastic.
‘‘I've got my pilot's license, I'm working towards that sort of thing outside of cricket later on, and obviously [it’s] great to spend time with family.
‘‘It's actually been a fantastic time for me being able to get strong, get ready to come back, but also do all the things that I love outside of cricket.’’
