Josh Philippe has moved from Western Australia to New South Wales in a bid to revive his Sheffield Shield career, while Nic Maddinson returns to the state where he started his career with two vital domestic signings.
Philippe’s move to New South Wales has long been in play, as he was courted as early as 2019 following his successful move from BBL to the Sydney Sixers. But in the past he had opted to remain in WA to play cricket Shield and Marsh Cup despite Josh Inglis as the number one goalkeeper, and Inglis’ usual absences due to overseas service offer Phillipe plenty of opportunities to stay in either format.
He eventually moved east despite betting on two Shield titles and 3 Marsh Cups with WA in the last 3 seasons, as well as betting on Australia A in four-day cricket as a goalkeeper as his Shield career has stalled.
Meanwhile, Muploadinson returns to New South Wales from Victoria after a strong finish to the 2023-24 Shield season, where he reached 3 centuries in consecutive games after returning from an ACL injury. Their move has the potential to add significant strength to the majority of NSW. sensible notch. His redball push came after falling to the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL, where he was captain. It is understood that he will also move to the Sydney Thunder.
Maddinson, 32, made his Sheffield Shield debut for the Blues in 2010, where he scored a century in South Australia. He then played 3 Trials and six T20I before dropping down the pecking order of Australian batting prospects.
“Nic and Josh bring the experience and wisdom of our players, coaches and NSW design to ensure a smooth transition,” said NSW Head Coach Greg Shipperd. “Nic and Josh have played for their country, but we have the ability to further expand their individual games and grow as cricketers and as people. It will be exciting to continue your journey.
“Building a high-performing team requires a balance between experienced and emerging skills and we’re striking that balance well. “
Philippe was left out of the WA squad in the final round of the Shield before the BBL break at the end of November and was replaced by an unsigned goalkeeper in Joel Curtis while Inglis was absent with the Australian T20I team. Australia’s T20I team will play the five-match series against India in early December.
They returned to the first round of The Shield after the BBL and completed an unbeaten century behind NSW in Perth. But it’s his only century as a Shield in his last 27 innings dating back to December 2021, averaging 14. 44 in that span. He regressed when Inglis returned from his overseas serve in late February and did not play in the final two rounds of the season or the final.
NSW hopes Philippe can return to his most productive level at Shield Point as he partners with Sixers coach Shipperd and captain Moises Henriques. His recent record with WA is due to the fact that he has controlled scores of 94, 69 and 105 in first-class matches. for Australia A compared to Sri Lanka A and New Zealand A in recent years.
Despite his short career in Shield cricket, Philippe will be a significant asset for New South Wales in the Marsh Cup, where he was one of the main participants in the WA name treble. He was the player of the tournament in the name of 2022-23 and made a major 42 against New South Wales in the 2023-24 low-scoring final at Central Cricket in Sydney in February.
It is understood that Philippe’s move to Sydney paved the way for Baxter Holt to move west after his career stalled in New South Wales. Holt hadn’t played a format for the Blues since December 2022, falling down the pecking order of New South Wales goalkeeper Matthew Gilkes. .
WA brought the 24-year-old to Perth last week to WACA and had a hit with WA hitting coach Beau Casson and a catch with WA goalkeeping coach Damon Rowan.
Holt is unlikely to play much cricket for WA at the start of the 2024-25 season, given that Inglis will be available for most Shield matches ahead of the BBL, with the exception of matches that could take place at the end of September. when the Australian ODI team is in position, England or mid-November, when Australia face Pakistan in 3 ODI and T20I matches at home.
But he will most likely have an uninterrupted opportunity in February-March 2025, when Inglis will be a smart opportunity to rotate with the Australian Test team as a reserve goalkeeper/batsman for the Test excursion in Sri Lanka and then for the ODI Champions Trophy in Pakistan.