SuperCoach BBL: Can Sydney Sixers young gun Josh Philippe live up to hype?
In six games as a BBL opener last season, Josh Philippe showed enough to leave good judges suggesting he was an Australian prospect. Will one of the most popular SuperCoach BBL picks live up to the hype?
SuperCoach BBL
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach BBL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It was a taste which left SuperCoaches wanting more.
In six BBL matches as an opener last summer, Josh Philippe blazed 168 runs at an average of 33.6.
It was the Sydney Sixers keeper-batsman’s electrifying strike rate of 161.5 which endeared him most to SuperCoaches.
Even good judges such as legendary spinner Shane Warne were singing Philippe’s praises, tipping the Western Australian for national honours this summer.
“He can keep, he can bat at the top of the order. He can bat anywhere,” Warne said.
“To me, this guy is going to play for Australia within 12 months.
“I would have picked him for the World Cup last year because I think he’s an outstanding young player.”
Philippe will understandably be a popular starting selection in SuperCoach BBL.
The 22-year-old plays five games in the opening three rounds, during which 2-3 scores would justify his starting price of $123,000.
He ticks almost every SuperCoach BBL box.
Scoring potential? Just ask Hobart Hurricanes.
Philippe smashed 86 from 49 balls against the Hurricanes in BBL08, plundering an attack which featured Jofra Archer, Riley Meredith and Johan Botha to all corners.
That innings alone was worth 138 points.
Price? Tick. Early double game weeks? Tick.
You get the idea.
The only question mark, albeit a small one, is whether six games as an opener is enough of a sample size.
Philippe started last season batting at No. 6, where he averaged 27.2 with a top score of 30 in nine innings.
It’s unlikely, but not completely out of the question, he bats in the middle-order again in BBL09.
His Marsh Cup form has been promising, averaging 31.3 with a strike rate of 110.5 for WA.
In the Sheffield Shield, Phillipe has 173 runs at 24.7.
There’s also two other talented wicketkeepers with Round 1 doubles, Brisbane Heat’s Tom Banton and Sydney Thunder’s Matthew Gilkes.
However, the flexibility to choose the trio as batsmen or wicketkeepers will mean most coaches start at least two of Philippe, Gilkes and Englishman Banton.
That’s enough of playing devil’s advocate.
Can Philippe live up to the hype and push for national selection this summer? It would be a big leap, but he is one of Australia’s most unique batting talents.
More importantly for SuperCoaches, can he deliver on the promise he showed in six games as an opener last summer? It would take a brave SuperCoach not to answer with a resounding yes.
MORE SUPERCOACH BBL CONTENT
Star-studded squad lists / Top 10 young guns / Everything you need to know / Key dates to shape your season / Gun imports set to explode / New faces to target / How players earn points
Originally published as SuperCoach BBL: Can Sydney Sixers young gun Josh Philippe live up to hype?
‘Best people’: Former Test captain in shock new role
Three years after he was forced to quit the Australian captaincy, Tim Paine is back in a key cricket role.
Heat unveils teen quick as latest signing
One of Australia’s most promising young fast bowlers has signed a deal with BBL champions Brisbane Heat.