New Zealand batted first and posted 167-7, with Phillips unstoppable, rescuing his team after the top order blown away for 15 runs, losing Finn Allen, Doug Conway, and Kane Williamson.
Boult and Tim Southee then reduced Sri Lanka to 4-8 in the chase, and they crumbled to 102 all out. Boult finished with a career-high 4-13.
Phillips’ 64-ball knock included 10 fours and 4 sixes, giving him the tournament’s second century, following South African Rilee Rossouw’s 109 against Bangladesh, and only the 11th in T20 World Cup history.
“Incredible, any hundred is amazing but the way he worked hard and put pressure on the opposition after our poor start,” skipper Williamson said. “The boys executed the plans really well.”
A century at the World Cup, according to Phillips, was “absolutely indescribable.” “I try to entertain as much as possible, and today it worked out well,” he added.
With both matches in Melbourne on Friday — Australia vs. England and Afghanistan vs. Ireland — being rained out, a lot was on the line.
With two games remaining, New Zealand has a two-point lead over England, Ireland, and Australia at the top of the table, thanks to their win.
They will play a crucial game against England in Brisbane on Tuesday, while Sri Lanka will play a must-win game against Afghanistan on the same day to keep their hopes alive.
“Credit to Glenn Phillips who played an outstanding knock. We also dropped a few catches. 160 is always a tough ask with their bowling attack,” said Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka.
“If we get a couple of wins, we’re still in with a chance of qualifying, so just looking forward to that.” Dasun added.
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