Australia’s wicket keeper batter stocks are in exquisite health as Josh Philippe scored an unbeaten century on day two of Australia A’s first unofficial Test against India A in Lucknow.
Philippe finished 123 not out from just 87 balls as Australia A plundered 6/532 declared before the hosts reached the close of play at 1/116.
Following Sam Konstas’ opening day century, Philippe piled on the pain to an India A bowling attack that included Test quick Prasidh Krishna, who took eight wickets for the match in India’s epic fifth Test victory against England at The Oval last month.
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Batting at number seven, the New South Wales gloveman smashed 18 fours and four sixes in his blistering knock, combining with South Australian all-rounder Liam Scott (81) for an 81-run stand before putting on a rapid partnership of 78 with Xavier Bartlett (39 not out off 24 balls).
Australia A’s scoring rate was incredibly impressive, accumulating their runs at 5.42 an over across their 98 over innings with Victoria’s Campbell Kellaway (88) and Western Australia’s Cooper Connolly (70) also scoring half centuries.
Konstas scores century on India A tour | 04:26
Philippe, who has played three ODIs and 12 T20Is, has Alex Carey and Josh Inglis ahead of him in the pecking order, but despite not having representing the national side since 2023, the 28-year-old is putting his best foot forward to earn a baggy green if an opportunity did arise.
Philippe is in a rich rein of form for Australia A, having scored 85 against Sri Lanka A in Darwin in July, and 120 not out against the England Lions in January.
Inglis’ status as the West Australian No.1 gloveman prompted Philippe’s move to New South Wales before last summer, but he may be following in Inglis’ footsteps by putting his name forward as one of the nation’s top players of spin.
Inglis earned a Test call-up as a batter in Sri Lanka earlier this year, and repaid the selectors’ faith with a debut century.
Philippe may be eyeing a similar path to the baggy green, as his aggressive stroke play against spin may be a ticket to future subcontinent tours.
“At my best, (attacking the spinners) is how I play them naturally,” Philippe said.
“I like to try to take the game on and look to put pressure back on them straight away.
“It was a pretty good wicket and ‘Scotty’ batted beautifully and then ‘X’ (Bartlett) came in and we had a nice little partnership going at the end when we we’re told we’d probably declaring soon.
“It’s still a pretty good wicket. There’s some signs of a bit of spin from us today – hopefully as the game gets on it continues to deteriorate, and our spinners can take charge and get some poles.”
Rain brought the day’s play to an early close with Scott picking up the sole scalp, bowling Abhimanyu Easwaran for 44.
Narayan Jagadeesan (50*) and Test batter Sai Sudharsan (20*) made it to the close unbeaten.
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