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BBL star Philippe wants red-ball gains

3 minute read

Sydney Sixers star Josh Philippe, having proven himself a damaging white-ball batsman, knows he may not play a single first-class game this season.

Josh Philippe is the latest young gun caught in cricket's schedule squeeze, with the Big Bash League's player of the tournament unsure when his next first-class hit will come.

Philippe, who is likely to make his international debut on this month's Twenty20 tour of New Zealand, is undoubtedly one of Australia's most talented prospects.

The Sydney Sixers keeper-batsman has been voted BBL player of the tournament, backing up a superb 2019-20 that culminated in man-of-the-match honours in the final and then an Indian Premier League contract.

Philippe credits his stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore, spent picking the brain of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, for taking his game to another level.

But it cost the 23-year-old a chance to play for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield Hub, while the upcoming T20 tour will also stall his bid for a baggy green.

"It looks like I'll miss the next half of the Shield season," he told reporters.

"This season there's not much I can do about it. I just hope next season there is an opportunity there for me, fingers crossed.

"The dream as a kid has always been to get a baggy green. I definitely want to try and establish myself at first-class level."

Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa and countless white-ball stars have faced a similar challenge in recent years.

Philippe expects he will take part in this year's IPL, set to start in April and be hosted in India.

But he knows, as was the case with the Sixers being cleared to host Saturday's BBL final at the SCG, it will likely be a late call.

"With COVID and what happens, we never seem to find anything out until the last minute," Philippe said.

"Going over last year and seeing how it was run and all the COVID protocols I was very happy and felt very safe.

"I've got no doubt, wherever it is held, that it will be the same."

Complicating Philippe's hopes of more red-ball cricket is the fact that Josh Inglis, another young wicketkeeper, scored two tons while taking the gloves for WA this season.

Philippe will face a similar situation across the Tasman, with Matthew Wade the incumbent stumper in Australia's T20 side.

"It doesn't worry me too much, running around in the field. The dream and goal is to play for Australia, so whatever that role looks like I'll be ready," Philippe said.

"I feel like I'm hitting the ball better than ever ... some of the technical stuff, I've really tried to iron out the creases during the pre-season.

"I've definitely tried to overthink less and just back my ability this season."

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