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Philippe expecting no favours from Perth

Sixers wicketkeeper-batsman bracing for a pace-bowling barrage from his former side in the BBL

Sydney Sixers recruit Josh Philippe has been promised a pace-bowling barrage from his former Perth Scorchers teammates when the two sides meet at the SCG on Saturday.

Despite not being offered a contract by the Scorchers this season, Philippe turned down approaches from a handful of other clubs and instead made himself available to Perth as a replacement batsman during the tournament.

That was until the Sixers came back with a late offer to take the wicketkeeping gloves as well as bat in the top six, which the Western Australian found too good to turn down.

Having headed east, Philippe is expecting a hostile reception from Perth's potent pace attack when he meets his regular WA teammates in the Sixers' KFC BBL opener.

Philippe thrives against Rabada and Steyn

"I think they're going to bowl quite fast at me, as I've been told already," Philippe told cricket.com.au. 

"It'll be good fun to play against them and I'm really looking forward to it.

"(The Sixers) suggested that I'd likely take the gloves as well, which I didn't feel like I'd have the chance to do at the Scorchers. That definitely changed my view at coming across.

"The opportunity was, I felt, greater than what the Scorchers could offer me, so I decided to sign on.

"Initially there was a bit of disappointment (from the Scorchers), purely because I said I was going to stay and I'd turned down the initial offers (from other clubs). So I can completely understand the disappointment there.

"But it's all done and dusted and we're all fine about it now. And I think they understand that it's a really good opportunity for me."

Philippe punches out fifty on debut

Whether Philippe stays in magenta beyond this one-year deal, however, is another matter.

The Scorchers have built their success on fierce loyalty to home-grown talent already in the WA system, a strategy that has been rewarded with seven consecutive top-four finishes and three championships.

But players have left the club before, with the likes of D'Arcy Short, Brad Hogg, Marcus Harris and Mike Hussey all moving on to other BBL franchises in recent years.

Having become the latest WA player to head east, Philippe says the lure of returning to the Scorchers remains strong given the successful culture Langer and new coach Adam Voges have built in the west.

"It's definitely in the back of my head," he says.

"All the WA players play for the Scorchers and it's just a shame I couldn't get a contract from them this year.

"At Sydney I've taken the risk and I might enjoy it and fit in really well and might be an option to re-sign here as well. But I'll just get through this season and see what happens after that."

Apart from a breakthrough first-class century two months ago, the highlights of Philippe's fledgling professional career so far have come in matches against touring international teams, where he's taken on and conquered some of the best fast bowlers in the game's history.

Having lashed 16 boundaries in a quickfire knock of 88 against star England pair Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad last summer, the right-hander hit eight fours and a six against South African duo Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada for the Prime Minister's XI this season in a match-winning innings of 57.

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The 21-year-old said he's still pinching himself at his efforts against the best bowlers in the world.

"I still can't quite believe some of that stuff even now," he said.

"When you're in the moment and in the zone, you don't really think too much about what you're doing. I'm still pinching myself now.

"I still feel like I've got a long way to go, but it's given me a massive confidence boost."

With Daniel Hughes, Jack Edwards and English import Joe Denly offering the Sixers strong opening options this season, Philippe is set to shift down the batting order and take the gloves ahead of former Test keeper Peter Nevill.

The Scorchers take on Melbourne Renegades on Thursday night before flying to Sydney to face the Sixers on Saturday.