Caution over gun Philippe
‘Don’t pressure’ BBL star
CRICKET: Moises Henriques has cautioned against putting too much pressure on Josh Philippe, who had caught the eye of national selectors even before his composed matchwinning knock in the BBL final.
Philippe, described by national Twenty20 skipper Aaron Finch as being “a long-term player for Australia down the track”, was crowned ‘man of the match’ after steering Sydney Sixers to victory over Melbourne Stars in Saturday’s decider.
The 22-yearold’s award in the biggest game of his life says plenty.
Philippe exhibited remarkable poise given the stakes and situation, outperforming mentor and lookalike Steve Smith to topscore for the Sixers and steady after a collapse of 3-19 in the rain-affected clash.
The polished knock of 52 will ensure Philippe (pictured) is in the mix for an international debut next month, when Australia face New Zealand in ODIs and T20s.
“You don’t want to put any more pressure on young men than what they already put on themselves,” Sixers skipper Henriques said of a potential call-up for Philippe.
“He is just a great kid with a great head on his shoulders. If he keeps doing the right things, who knows what will happen.
“He has definitely got the talent.
“We all know he can whack it everywhere around the park, but you can’t score as many runs as he did throughout the season without composure.”
Philippe is unsure whether he is ready for international cricket yet.
“I guess you never know until you get there,” he said.
“My game’s developed so much over the last year and I think I’m really learning how to handle myself in pressure situations. “Just going to try and get as many runs as I can and see what happens.”
It would not be a shock if the wicketkeeper-batsman finds himself in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, especially with Finch and Smith both big fans.
The right-hander downplayed his ice-cool innings in Saturday’s final, suggesting recent heavy rain in Sydney may have helped.
“When you aren’t expecting to play, you don’t get especially nervous,” he said.