Josh Philippe is a talented Australian wicket-keeper batsman who represents Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.
Josh Philippe first hogged the limelight when he finished as the third highest scorer in the 2019-20 edition of The Big Bash League. From 16 matches, the young wicket keeper batsman struck 487 runs at an average of 37.46 and a strike rate of almost 130. He had the best of 83 not out and scored five half centuries in the competition while striking 41 fours and 16 sixes.
His heroics attracted the attention of the IPL scouts as well and Philippe was snapped up for his base price of 20 lakhs in the competition. He promised a lot but wasn't quite able to deliver for Bangalore.
He played five matches in IPL 2020 and scored a total of 78 runs at an average of 19.50 and a strike rate of 129.86, with the best of 33. At times, he looked quite good, but then threw his wicket away.
It is not without reason though that Royal Challengers Bangalore decided to release the experienced opener Aaron Finch and stick to Josh Philippe as he also provides them with a wicket keeping option, which is vital, especially with Parthiv Patel having hung his boots and AB de Villiers not very keen on being a regular wicket keeper for the franchise.
Back to his familiar conditions and at the top of the order for Sydney Sixers in Big Bash League 10, Philippe proved that he was not a one season wonder with a 500+ run season in BBL 2020-21. Philippe struck 508 runs from 16 matches in the 10th edition of the BBL at an average of 31.75 and a strike rate of close to 150 with 3 half centuries and the best of 95. This helped Sydney Sixers to lift the BBL 10 title as Philippe was named the Player of the Tournament.
With Steve Smith, David Warner and Alex Carey not in the Australian squad for the T20Is against New Zealand, Philippe was picked in the Australian squad.
He currently averages 31.45 from a total of 53 domestic T20 Matches and strikes at 129.23. The wicket keeper has also taken 31 catches and has 8 stumpings to his name. At just 23, the wicket keeper batsman surely has a bright future ahead of him.
