Philippe downs ex-state but tight win soured by Henriques blow

Josh Philippe showed Western Australia what they will miss in his first match for his new state as NSW held on for a tense victory in the One-Day Cup opener at Sydney's Cricket Central.

Will Salzmann, the 20-year-old fast bowler, made up for conceding nearly 10 runs an over (2-72 from 7.4 overs) by coming up clutch twice in the dying moments of the rematch between last season's finalists.

First, Salzmann stopped Ashton Agar (51 off 39 balls, two sixes) in his tracks by having him caught behind when the allrounder looked certain to get WA home. The seventh-gamer then took a terrific catch running back towards the cover boundary off Andrew Tye to ice the match.

Philippe laid the platform for the eight-run win by smashing 139 from only 119 deliveries against his native state in his first match since crossing to the Blues over the winter.

But NSW's victory was soured by their Sheffield Shield captain Moises Henriques suffering a left hamstring injury while bowling. He left the field two balls into his second over and did not return, with Cricket NSW confirming he will undergo medical scans.

Philippe dominated the scoring in NSW's 9-287, hitting two-thirds of their first 205 runs. He carted 17 fours, four more than the other 10 Blues batters combined, as well as three sixes to the rest's zero.

"Today was always going to be a little bit of a challenge, playing against WA, but it was nice to get off to a good start personally and nice for our group to get a win to start our campaign really well," said Philippe, who also plays for the Sydney Sixers in the KFC BBL.

"It was a tough call (to leave WA) but I felt like I wasn’t going in the direction I'd like to be going. I thought a new opportunity and a fresh start might be the best thing for me.

"When the offer came through from New South Wales it felt like a really good opportunity. I've got a great relationship with a lot of the boys and Shippy (NSW and Sixers coach Greg Shipperd) as well."

Jhye Richardson took 5-63 in a promising sign in his gradual recovery from injury, dismissing one-day batting king Daniel Hughes (7) and gun recruit Nic Maddinson (second-ball duck) in the space of three balls.

"It's been a little while but nice to get through," said Richardson, who missed the back-end of the last domestic season due to a side injury.

"You have those moments when you question yourself on whether or not you are still as skillful as what you were a few years ago when everything was going right.

"So it was nice to go out there and just complete 10 overs in a competitive setting. It's something I haven't been able to do in a long while.

"I was brought on through those middle overs to try and get a wicket. I thankfully did - but not before 'Flip' (Philippe) had done the damage."

Matthew Gilkes, playing as a specialist bat with Philippe taking the gloves, made a smart 41 from 47 balls and found late support from Salzmann (20 off 24) and Tanveer Sangha (26no from 14).

Cameron Bancroft (71 off 83) led WA's reply but both Hilton Cartwright (41 off 37) and captain Ashton Turner (41 from 44) were dismissed by the leg-spin of Tanveer at crucial points of their run chase.

Agar hit a series of audacious boundaries to give WA hope but was involved in two late run-outs. Tye reduced the equation to nine needed off seven balls before holing out with WA on 279.