Philippe signs BBL contract with Sydney Sixers

Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe signed a three-year Big Bash League (BBL) contract extension with Sydney Sixers.

The 21-year-old, one of the standout performers during the last season, made a last-minute move from Perth Scorchers to the Sixers on a one-year deal, just ahead of the commencement of the tournament, ESPNcricinfo reported.

Philippe scored 304 runs at a strike-rate of 158.33, the highest of the 21 players who made 300 runs or more in the league. He smashed two half-centuries including an unbeaten 86 against Hobart Hurricanes and 52 against eventual champions Melbourne Renegades in the semi-final.

The Scorchers tried its best to lure Philippe as he hails from Perth, began his career with the Scorchers in 2017-18 BBL and plays one-day domestic and Sheffield Shield with Western Australia. The wicketkeeper-batsman will continue to play for Western Australia next season but has committed to the Sixers for the next three years.

The three-time champions, Scorchers will rebuild itself for the first time in its history after missing the finals for the first time in eight seasons and finishing at the bottom. The team has lost Shaun Marsh, Michael Klinger, Hilton Cartwright, David Willey, and Usman Qadir.

Marsh has signed a three-year deal with the Melbourne Renegades, Klinger has retired, Cartwright has joined the Melbourne Stars for the next three years and overseas players Willey and Qadir have not had their contracts renewed.

The team, however, has re-signed wicket-keeper batsman Sam Whiteman on a two-year deal. Whiteman suffered an injury during the 2018-19 season and played just four BBL matches. He scored a 44-ball 68 against the Hurricanes and also had a good outing in the Sheffield Shield season, playing as an opening batsman for Western Australia.