New South Wales recruit Josh Philippe has only needed one match to show Western Australia what they’ll be missing this summer.
Facing his former teammates at Silverwater’s Cricket Central on Sunday, Philippe celebrated his NSW debut with a career-best 139 (119) that featured 17 boundaries and three sixes.
With national selector George Bailey watching on from the stands, the 27-year-old steered the Blues towards 9-287 in their season opener, with no other NSW player reaching fifty.
The hosts ultimately clinched a thrilling eight-run victory over the reigning champions, who were bowled out for 279 in 48.5 overs.
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“Today was always going to be a bit of a challenge, playing against WA,” Philippe said after the win.
“It’s been a really good pre-season, and I feel like I’ve been hitting the ball quite well.
“I just felt really good.”
Philippe, player of the tournament in 2022/23, won three consecutive one-day titles at Western Australia, scoring a crucial 42 during last summer’s final against NSW. Last December, he received a national recall for Australia’s T20 tour of India, representing his country for the first time in more than two years.
However, despite his recent white-ball success, Philippe often found himself outside Western Australia’s starting XI for Sheffield Shield matches, falling behind fellow glovemen Josh Inglis and Joel Curtis in the pecking order.
The Perth native has averaged 14.44 in the first-class competition since December 2021, reaching fifty just once in his 27 most recent innings.
Seeking a “fresh start”, Philipe decided to cross the Nullarbor ahead of the 2024/25 season, switching allegiances and signing for New South Wales.
“It was a tough call,” Philippe said.
“I just felt like I wasn’t going in the direction I’d like to be going, and I thought maybe a new opportunity and a fresh start might be the best thing for me.
“When the offer came through from NSW, it felt like it was just a really good opportunity for me.
“I’ve come here to hopefully make lots of runs and catch them really nicely behind the stumps. That’s all I’m going to be trying to do.”
West Australian seamer Jhye Richardson, who claimed a career-best 5-63 on Sunday, including the dismissal of Philippe, confessed it was “bittersweet” to watch his former teammate succeed for a different state.
“He’s moved states for a bit more opportunity, and he’s seizing it already,” Richardson said.
“It’s nice to see one of your good mates do well, but you’d rather he were on our side.”
The Blues’ victory was soured by an injury for veteran all-rounder Moises Henriques, who failed to complete his second over due to a hamstring complaint. The former state captain will undergo scans on Monday.
NSW will next face South Australia at the same venue on Thursday, with the first ball scheduled for 9.30am AEST.
