BBL 2021-22: Josh Philippe tests positive for Covid-19

Sydney Sixers wicket-keeper batter Josh Philippe has tested positive for Covid-19 and will go into isolation alongside his teammates Jack Edwards and Mickey Edwards who also contracted the virus last week. The 24-year-old tested positive on Wednesday (January 26) ahead of the crucial game against Adelaide Strikers and will now have to quarantine himself for at least 7 days which means he won’t be available for the finals even if the Sixers qualify.

Due to the unavailability of wicketkeepers from the local replacement pool of players, former Syndey Thunder wicketkeeper Jay Lenton has been drafted into the squad. Lenton has been part of the coaching setup on Sixers’ side and was eventually not on the replacement player pool list. However, circumstances have led to the BBL allowing Lenton to make it to the replacement pool squad while Steve Smith has been shown the “no” card yet.

Big Blow for Sydney Sixers

Sydney Sixers will be disheartened after having lost three players in a span of a week’s time due to Covid-19 and especially, Phillipe is expected to be a huge miss for the side. The right-hander has scored the bulk of runs for his franchise so far at the top of the order with 429 runs in 15 games at an average of 33. He has scored four fifties so far in the season and is at the seventh position in the top run-scorers of BBL this season.

“Missing from the squad is star opener/wicketkeeper, who earlier today returned a positive Covid-19 diagnosis, with that news following the positive Covid-19 diagnosis received by Jack and Mickey Edwards last week. All three players are in isolation as they recover.” an official statement read.

Meanwhile, Daniel Hughes has also been added to the 14-member squad that was announced by the Sydney Sixers for the match against Adelaide Strikers and the former will have to undergo a fitness test one hour before he gets on to the field. Hughes had twisted his ankle in the fielding sessions ahead of the Perth Scorchers game.