Australia limited over skipper Aaron Finch has confirmed that Josh Philippe will certainly make his international debut against T20 series opener against New Zealand.
As Australia and New Zealand will lock horns against each other for a five match T20I International series later this month. The series will start on February 22nd at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Philippe has been in stupendous form in recently concluded Big Bash league T20. The highly rated wicketkeeper-batsman played an instrumental role in making sure that Sydney Sixers retain the title.
The limited over skipper had added that Wade, Philippe along with him will start as Australia top three in the upcoming series. He also confirmed that all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stonis will be formible lineup in the middle order.
“The top three will be (Matthew) Wade, Philippe and myself. Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) and Stoin (Marcus Stoinis), four and five, around that area. It’s pretty simple I’d imagine. When you look at the squad list, Josh Philippe has been in great nick and it’s great to see him playing well. Matty Wade, we know how dynamic he is along with Maxi. We’re going to be flexible with that top order as well. If that means Wadey or myself or Josh, whoever bats at three, it’ll be a great opportunity,” Finch told reporters.
Finch hails Josh Philippe saying that the youngster has taken his game to another level. Finch revealed that how spending time in the IPL along with the likes of Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers and him has helped Philippe in his game.
The 23 year old has recently earned player of the tournament in recently concluded IPL as he amassed 508 runs at an average of 31.75 with a strike rate of under 150 to help sixers retain the BBL title.
“He’s someone who has obviously got all the shots but he’s starting to get to that point of his career and I think a lot of that was on the back of having a couple of months of IPL where he spent a lot of time with AB and Virat talking about batting with myself,” Finch said.
“He’s taken his game to a new level because he’s just getting past that period when he’s not hitting them well. When he’s playing well it’s lights out, it’s brilliant. But just those days when he’s not feeling 100 per cent, he’s getting through that little danger period and still having a big impact on the game which I think is so important in T20 cricket,” added Finch.
