Josh Philippe credits departing coach Greg Shipperd for shaping his career as New South Wales prepare to face Tasmania in the One-Day Cup final.

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New South Wales (NSW) are determined to give departing coach Greg Shipperd a memorable farewell by winning the One-Day Cup final against Tasmania in Hobart on Wednesday. After their hopes of reaching the Sheffield Shield final ended with a heavy defeat to South Australia, the team now has one last opportunity this season to secure silverware and honour their outgoing coach.

Shipperd was removed from his roles with both NSW and the Sydney Sixers in late January, but he chose to stay on with the state side until the end of the domestic season. The players are now motivated to reward that commitment by lifting the Dean Jones Trophy in the upcoming final.

Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe, who has shared a long association with Shipperd, praised the coach’s influence on his career. Philippe said the team is eager to send him off with a victory.

“We just want to send him off on a high,” Philippe said. “He was disappointed with the decision about his roles, but he loves cricket and this group. He always wants to win titles, and we’re doing everything we can to achieve that for him.”

Philippe also acknowledged the major role Shipperd has played in his development as a cricketer. The two first worked together at the Sydney Sixers before Philippe moved to New South Wales for state cricket in 2024.

“I’ve had a very good relationship with Shippy for a long time,” Philippe said. “I probably wouldn’t be here without him. It’s certainly sad to see him go because he’s been amazing for me, especially through the T20 side where I’ve spent most of my career with him.”

Philippe added that he expects to stay in touch with Shipperd even after his departure. “I’m sure he’ll keep ringing me as well,” he joked.

The wicketkeeper-batter has experienced an interesting season. He played a key role in NSW’s surge to the One-Day Cup final with a blistering 58 off 29 balls that helped set up a successful run chase against Tasmania in the final round of matches.

Earlier in the season, Philippe toured India with Australia A, where he scored a century and later earned places in Australia’s ODI and T20I squads against India. He also started the Big Bash League strongly, highlighted by a 96-run knock off 70 balls against Sydney Thunder before his form dipped in the latter stages of the tournament.

Despite the constant movement between different teams and formats, Philippe remains confident about his batting form. “I still feel like I’m batting well,” he said. “It’s certainly a challenge jumping in and out of the different teams and squads.”

Looking ahead to potential opportunities with Australia’s T20I team, Philippe said he may be used more in a middle-order role. With several powerful wicketkeeper-batters already opening the batting, adapting to different positions could be key to his future chances.

“I think from a T20 perspective it’s probably looking like more of a down-the-order role,” he explained. “They’ve got a lot of firepower at the top of the order, so it’s about continuing to develop those skills as well.”

Although he has mostly opened the batting in recent years, Philippe says moving to the middle order is not entirely unfamiliar territory. “I started my career in the middle order, so it’s not completely abnormal. I just haven’t done much of it recently,” he said. “I certainly pride myself on adaptability.”

As NSW prepare to face Tasmania in the One-Day Cup final, the players will be aiming not only for victory but also to give Shipperd a fitting farewell with one final trophy.