New Zealand cricketer Dale Phillips visits Rishton's Rish 'n' Chips

Dale Phillips, who was born in South Africa but plays internationally for New Zealand, has temporarily moved into the area as he gears up to play for Rishton Cricket Club in their upcoming Lancashire League season.

Rish ‘n’ Chips manager Jenifer Edge was surprised to hear Phillips’ accent and quizzed him on it when he revealed that he was a professional cricketer who had just arrived in the area to play for Rishton.

Professional cricket Dale Phillips visiting Rish 'n' Chips (Image: Rish 'n' Chips/Facebook)

Jenifer sat and chatted to Phillips and his wife, who were also with their one-year-old daughter, as they tucked into the shop’s £5 lunchtime special – sausage, chips, a side, and a drink - while Dale also treated himself to a dab.

Jenifer said: “He just came in for his lunch with his wife and one-year-old daughter yesterday. I sat on the table next to him and we were having a really good chat. He’s really nice.

“I asked him about his accent and he said he was from New Zealand. I asked if they’d moved over here and he said they were just here until August, and that’s how the conversation started.

“Rishton Cricket Club have flown him and his family over and put him up in a house in Rishton. He said he was really looking forward to it. He landed in the UK on Friday and is playing the full season with us.”

The £5 lunchtime special from Rish 'n' Chips (Image: Rish 'n' Chips)

The star happily posed for a photo next to the cricket picture inside Rish ‘n’ Chips before getting on his way.

Phillips made his first-class debut in October 2019 for Otago, a team based on New Zealand’s south island. Prior to his debut, he was named in New Zealand’s squads for both the 2016 and 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

He is the brother of another professional cricketer, Glenn Phillips, who has previously featured for Gloucestershire in the County Championship and has represented New Zealand’s first-team since 2017.