Follow Us28-year-old Josh Philippe turned the clock around, smashing a sizzling 87-ball 123 against India A, on September 17 (Wednesday) in Lucknow. The wicketkeeper-batter became the second Australian A batter to smash a century in the ongoing first unofficial Test after Sam Konstas’ 109.
Philippe, who once turned to play for RCB, walked in with Australia A in a strong position at 333/5. But a wicket from there could have easily made the Australian A middle-order’s efforts futile, as the lower-order could have succumbed to a total under 500.
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However, the former RCB man did not let that happen, putting on an 81-run stand with Liam Scott and later an unbeaten 118-run partnership with Punjab Kings pacer Xavier Bartlett. While Bartlett himself smashed a 24-ball 39, smashing five fours and two sixes, it was Phillipe who turned the screw around on the Indian bowling unit.
The 28-year-old himself smashed as many as 18 fours and four sixes, batting with a strike rate of 141.38 in the red-ball fixture. In particular, he was proactive against Harsh Dubey, scoring 41 off 21 balls. Off-spinner Tanush Kotian wasn’t spared either, as Phillipe showed his attacking masterclass with 29 runs off the 10 balls he faced.
Eventually, Philippe's efforts took Australia A to 532/6, after which they declared.
Image Courtesy: UPCA