His older brother, Glenn Phillips (24), has made his way through the domestic ranks and on to the international stage for the Black Caps.
And people like to remind Dale just how well Glenn is doing. He is the guy who hits sixes on one leg, after all.
But yesterday Dale had his turn in the spotlight. The 22-year-old right-hander notched his maiden first-class century to put Otago in a good spot in its Plunket Shield encounter against Central Districts at the University of Otago Oval.
He is undefeated on 134 and helped his side rally from 28 for three to 321 for five at stumps on day one.
He combined in a meaty partnership of 184 runs for the fifth wicket with Michael Rippon.
Rippon has featured in some telling partnerships in the past few summers, usually with Nathan Smith.
He was undone late in the day for 79. The new ball nipped back a touch and he got an inside edge on to his stumps.
But the day belonged to Phillips.
‘‘I'm pretty ecstatic,'' he said.
‘‘I've been working towards it for a while so it was nice to finally tick one off.''
He appeared composed during the 90s but internally he was wrestling with the temptation to hit over the top.
‘‘I kind of wanted to get through them as quickly as possible just to avoid the pressure. But overall it wasn't too bad.''
Actually, he stayed reasonably patient before scampering through for a quick single.
It might have been close had the fielder picked up the ball cleanly. But he was unable to grasp it and Phillips was rewarded when he got to the other end with the milestone.
‘‘Obviously there are a lot of people out there you want to prove yourself to and show that you are at the right level and not just put there.
‘‘People mention [Glenn] when I'm batting and say I'm living in his shadow and whatnot.
‘‘But that is all part of the game and I actually quite like it. And I'm quite happy to go about it at my own pace and just get there in my own time.
‘‘He has got to where he has got but I don't feel any rush to try and chase his records or anything.''
The morning session was forgettable for the home side.
Hamish Rutherford got out in rather odd fashion for three. He sparred at a shorter delivery and guided it into the slips.
Fellow opener Anaru Kitchen perished in the next over for four. He hit a catch back to New Zealand's forgotten seamer, Doug Bracewell, who bowled brilliantly.
Bracewell and Blair Tickner dominated the opening hour.
Mitch Renwick went next. He was lured into a drive and undone on 16.
Otago was struggling but Nick Kelly was starting to find the middle. He blazed three fours in one over to raise his fifth first-class half-century.
But just before lunch he fell into a trap. Central Districts brought on left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox, probably to hustle through one more over before the break. But the visiting side got the unexpected reward of Kelly's wicket.
He tried to sweep, missed and was out lbw for 57.
But his replacement, Rippon, looked willing and he combined with Phillips to help turn the innings around.
Phillips was brutal on anything tossed up and he plundered the off-side boundary. He got the final session under way in style, slashing Tickner over backward point for six.
He will resume this morning with Max Chu at the wicket with him on 21.
- John McGlashan College had its first win at the national junior tournament in Palmerston North yesterday.
It scored 153 for nine against Tauranga Boys in 40 overs and then bowled out Tauranga for 133 to grab a 20-run win.
