GLORY BECKONS

JOSH Philippe will have to overcome the curse of being named as the Big Bash player of the year to complete the perfect season.

The first player from the Sydney Sixers to win the tournament’s highest individual honour, the wicketkeeperbatsman will have to break another jinx to win back to back titles in Saturday’s grand final at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Although he was named man of the match in last year’s final, no-one who has won the player of the tournament award has won the championship in the same year so Philippe will need to end that hoodoo.

The leading keeper this season with 15 dismissals under his belt and currently second on this season’s runscoring list with 499 at an average of 33.26, Philippe polled 22 votes to win the award, decided by on-field umpires.

He finished two clear of Sydney Thunder’s explosive opener Alex Hales, the English import who still has the Golden Bat as the leading runscorer but is just 44 runs ahead of Philippe.

Perth Scorchers fast bowler Jhye Richardson, the Golden Arm leader for this season with 27 wickets, finished third overall after polling 19 votes.

“We’d like to congratulate Josh Philippe on another outstanding season at the top of the order for the Sydney Sixers and being named the KFC BBL|10 Player of the Tournament,” Cricket Australia’s Head of Big Bash Leagues Alistair Dobson said.

“This is a richly deserved accolade and recognition for a number of matchwinning performances.”