Sheffield Shield: Josh Philippe Leads New South Wales cricket team Charge on Rain-Hit Day in Hobart

Sheffield Shield: Josh Philippe Leads New South Wales cricket team Charge on Rain-Hit Day in Hobart

Josh Philippe rediscovered his touch with the bat to put New South Wales cricket team in a commanding position on a rain-affected second day of their Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania cricket team at Ninja Stadium.

Only 42 overs were possible in the day-night encounter on Tuesday as hot and blustery conditions eventually gave way to rain shortly before 6pm local time, with no further play possible.

NSW made the most of the limited time at the crease, adding 164 runs for the loss of just two wickets. Philippe, who recently featured in two T20 internationals for Australia national cricket team in Pakistan, remained unbeaten on 69 at stumps.

The right-hander had endured a lean domestic season, registering only two half-centuries across three competitions for NSW and the Sydney Sixers. However, he looked in fluent touch in Hobart, showcasing his power-hitting with successive sixes off spinner Nikhil Chaudhary.

A 69-run stand in just 13.3 overs with Jack Edwards shifted the momentum firmly in NSW’s favour before the weather intervened. Edwards took the attack to Tasmania’s pace battery, striking leg-side sixes off both Jackson Bird and Riley Meredith as the visitors began to dominate proceedings.

Tasmania had earlier enjoyed success in the first session. NSW captain Kurtis Patterson added only four runs to his overnight score of 29 before he was trapped lbw by Gabe Bell. Youngster Lachlan Shaw, who had managed just one run from 22 deliveries on the opening day, initially struggled again, taking 19 more balls to get off the mark.

Shaw gradually grew in confidence, compiling a patient 38 that included five boundaries in a 90-run partnership with Philippe. His innings was eventually ended by Tasmania captain Beau Webster, but by then NSW had built a solid platform.

With rain halting play late in the day, Tasmania may have welcomed the interruption as Philippe and Edwards threatened to take the game further away from the hosts.