Josh Philippe to remain as Sydney Sixers opener after exciting cameos at top during BBL08
Earmarked as a future Australian player by Shane Warne, Josh Philippe will have a perfect window to showcase his talent when he opens for Sydney Sixers during BBL09.
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Sydney Sixers’ not-so-secret weapon will be even harder to miss in the Big Bash League with Josh Philippe set to start the tournament at the top of the batting order.
It’s a rapid promotion for the Steve Smith lookalike but one that no one will be surprised about following his stunning rookie season a year ago.
Starting in the middle order, the Sixers’ 22-year-old versatile wicketkeeper caught his rivals napping when he was promoted to open the innings in the second half of the season and blew everyone away with his spectacular shot making.
“I open the batting for WA so I guess it’s not new to me,” Philippe told The Daily Telegraph.
“Now that I've experienced it last year I know what it’s like and how I’m going to feel so it’s just about being in the right headspace.
“I’m quite a relaxed person anyway so I need to stay that way and be patient instead of trying to manufacture too many things out there.”
If last season is anything to by, Philippe’s version of patience is a bit more fast-paced than most other people’s.
He scored a franchise record 86 not out off only 49 balls in the regular season against the Hobart Hurricanes and 52 from just 31 deliveries in the heartbreaking semi-final loss to the Melbourne Renegades.
“He played a terrific role in the middle order for us in that finishing role but having him open is probably the best way to go for us long term,” Sixers coach Greg Shipperd said.
“He has a strike rate of 158 at the top of the order which is pretty rare so he's the one to watch and teams will be doing their best to adjust to him.”
Philippe’s talent has been well known for years but it was eye-popping innings against the Hurricanes that really made everyone sit up and take notice and start talking about him as a future international.
Dominating an unbroken stand of 167 with England international James Vince, Philippe belted nine fours and three sixes in a big-hitting display that even that surprised himself and earned him a three-year contract extension.
“I always like to think I’m a destructive batter who can do that sort of thing but I guess actually doing it, being able to bat with Vincey and being able to put on 160-odd against the top team it was a bit surreal when it was happening,” Philippe said.
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“I was doing things I didn’t know I could do but when you're so in the moment and in the zone sometimes you just do that, you don't have to think about it and a lot just happens.
“There’s definitely been a lot of media and stuff and bit of that extra stuff now so I’m just trying to learn to embrace it. Obviously I’d like to think I can do it again and secure my spot at the top and hopefully just get some scores.”
Originally published as Josh Philippe to remain as Sydney Sixers opener after exciting cameos at top during BBL08