Big Bash: Josh Philippe stars as Sixers beat Scorchers by eight wickets

A sandy outfield, the result of back-to-back U2 concerts last month, left fans wondering what was going on at the SCG. But it didn’t stop Sixers star Josh Philippe smashing his team to victory.

Sixers batsman Josh Philippe launches against the Scorchers on Wednesday night. Picture. Phil Hillyard

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Melbourne Cricket Ground isn’t the only venue that Cricket Australia needs to fix in a hurry before the remaining Tests against New Zealand.

With just two weeks to go before the series finale in Sydney, the SCG turf raised eyebrows for the extra helping of sand on the famed outfield.

Anyone watching Wednesday night’s Big Bash clash between the Sixers and the Perth Scorchers could have been forgiven for thinking they were still watching last week’s Presidents Cup at Melbourne sandbelt golf course because of the huge puffs of sand that came up every time the ball hit the deck.

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Ashton Agar watches his shot stir up some sand. Picture: AAP

A Mitch Marsh pull shot had the same effect. Picture: Phil Hillyard

BONO TO BLAME

The entire playing surface at the SCG had to be replaced last week after last month’s back-to-back U2 concerts.

The SCG hired a group of Western Sydney businesses to replace a total of 16,500 square metres of turf over four days, but while it looked green on top, the thick layer of sand burst through every time the ball touched it.

SCG officials say they have no concerns about the turf being in pristine condition for the third Test against New Zealand, starting January 7.

Sean Abbott drops a catch and leaves a trail of sand in his wake. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Forced into an extra workload from a range of sports while the Sydney Football Stadium is being rebuilt, the SCG playing surface has encountered issues at different times this year and comes as Cricket Australia deals with the MCG’s problems with irregular bounce that forced the abandonment of a recent Sheffield Shield match.

More than 3000m of turf had to be replaced after the SCG field crumbled during a Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Reds earlier this year.

Players kick up sand as they run out on to the SCG for Wednesday night’s game. Picture: Getty Images

SUPERSTAR PHILIPPE

One player who definitely mind the sandy surface was Sixers opening batsman and wicketkeeper Josh Philippe, who started the new season where he finished off last time with a brilliant 81 not out off 44 balls to lead his team to an emphatic eight-wicket win.

He stumped Perth danger man Cameron Bancroft in the second over of the match when Steve O’Keefe bowled a legside wide, then he ran out Ashton Turner after Ben Dwarshuis threw the ball in from the boundary.

Sixers star Josh Philippe sweeps during the Big Bash match between the Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers at the SCG. Picture: Phil Hillyard

When he got his turn at batting, Philippe had more swings than Patrick Reed in a bunker as he registered his third BBL half century.by clubbing 11 boundaries and three sixes - the last one - which ended the match - a monster strike off Jhye Richardson that landed on the roof of the Ladies Stand and got stuck in the gutter.

“It’s amazing, I couldn’t have dreamt it to be honest but I love the SCG and I love playing with these boys and I was really eager after a disappointing few weeks for me personally back home to be able to start with a bang,” Philippe said.

“I got dropped from the one day final for WA and I got dropped from the Shield side but that’s cricket. You get over it, but it’s probably the first time I’ve really been dropped out of it so I was just dealing with it, but I think I’ve dealt with it pretty well.”

Mitch Marsh hits out for the Scorchers. Picture. Phil Hillyard

WORLD CUP BOLTER

Big things are expected of Philippe this season and if he can continue racking up the run he could be a bolter for next year’s T20 World Cup, which is being held in Australia.

Plenty of good judges have tipped him to be a future international and while the season has only just started, he’s done everything right so far and has already earned himself the golden cap as the tournament’s leading runscorer after bettering Callum Ferguson’s unbeaten 73 for the Sydney Thunder against the Brisbane Heat.

SYDNEY DOUBLE

Sydney teams are 2-0 this season - not bad for two sides who were rated as equal last picks in early betting markets for the BBL title.

That’s already changed after just two matches with the Scorchers now at the foot of the markets and the Melbourne Stars the early favourites. But if there’s one thing the Sixers will want to improve it’s their crowd, with a disappointing 13,247 showing up on Wednesday night.

Originally published as Big Bash: Josh Philippe stars as Sixers beat Scorchers by eight wickets