Hot cricket property Josh Philippe wants to commit his state cricket future to Western Australia.

But the dashing right-hander’s Big Bash future is still up in the air.

Phillippe has one more season left on his WACA contract, but is keen to sign a long-term deal, putting to bed rumours of a switch to New South Wales.

Philippe wants to get through the Sheffield Shield summer before making a decision on where he’ll play in BBL09.

The baby-faced 21-year-old enjoyed a breakout season with the Sydney Sixers, scoring 304 runs at 30.4, including a top score of 86 not out, to go with a tournament-high 12 dismissals.

In demand on the Australian Twenty20 scene, Philippe revealed his decision was down to two teams, leaving the door ajar for a return to the Perth Scorchers.

“I think it’s really important that I focus on my red-ball cricket and try to park this at the moment,” Philippe told The Sunday Times.

“I’m looking to come to a decision soon but I just want to get through the next few four-day games first.

“I’ve got another year with WA but I don’t think that will be an issue, I’m hoping I’ll be asked to extend at WA.

“WA is my home, I love playing for WA and I’ve had plenty of opportunities already going through so I don’t see any reason why I should consider moving.

“I guess Big Bash is the one where it will be a bit more of a tough decision.

“I won’t be looking at offers elsewhere, it will be only be between the Sixers and the Scorchers.”

Philippe reflected on his “whirlwind” summer, from missing out on spot on the Scorchers’ 18-man roster to keeping wicket and opening the batting at the Sixers in a semi-final.

He said while it was a simple decision to head east once he was offered the wicket-keeping gloves, telling Scorchers and WA coach Adam Voges wasn’t so easy.

“It was really tough, I remember I was dreading it all day,” Philippe said.

“But it was one of those things that had to be done and it was really unfortunate that at the time I couldn’t get a Scorchers contract because they were full.

“The opportunity came up at Sydney and it was a risk to initially take it, but I was going to back myself in and I really felt ready to go.

“Although it was a tough conversation, I think I was definitely set on my decision, it was just hard to make the phone call.

“Everyone has been sweet since I’ve come back, it was more of a surprise to them when it went down because I did say at one point that I was going to stay (as an injury-replacement player).

“Since I’ve been back, all has been good, I think they’re just waiting on my next decision.”

Philippe, who shares plenty of similarities with Steve Smith, got the chance to work with the banned Australian captain during his time with the Sixers.

The pair had several net sessions together and Smith passed on valuable advice to his protégé, who idolised him growing up.

“When I first got over there he gave me a few hits, worked pretty closely with me, offered me plenty of advice and stayed in touch throughout the tournament which was really nice,” he said.

“His advice was all about backing yourself in, trusting your skills, puffing your chest out and walking out like you’re ready to go and you’re confident.

“That stuck to mind the most because the last thing you want to do is be walking out worrying about things.”

“I just love the way he plays, the way he hits the ball in so many different areas and takes the game on. I love the quirkiness at the crease as well.

“I’ve been told that a lot (the Steve Smith likeness), I think we’re both different in a sense but all the guys at New South Wales reckon I’m a replica of him eight years ago which is kind of funny.”

Philippe produced two vital knocks against South Australia at the WACA Ground this week to help the Warriors keep their Shield final hopes alive.

He hit a scratchy 47 in tough batting conditions in the first innings before a brilliant unbeaten half-century in the second to seal a six-wicket win.

It was a far cry from WA’s horror innings defeat against New South Wales the previous week, with Philippe scoring a total of three runs.

“The game against New South Wales was a tough week for us all,” he said.

“For me personally, I thought the transition from Twenty20 to four-day cricket wouldn’t be as hard as it seemed to be.

“I’m pretty happy with the performances (against the Redbacks), the first innings wasn’t pretty, I had a few chances and I nicked and nudged my way to 40-odd.

WA will go in with an unchanged 13-man squad for their four-day clash against Tasmania in Hobart, needing another to keep their hopes of breaking a two-decade Shield title drought.

The Warriors will still be without several of their stars including Shaun Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Jhye Richardson, who are on Australian One-Day International duties in India.

Paceman Matthew Kelly will be one to watch in the bowler-friendly conditions at Blundstone Arena, on the back of his man-of-the-match performance against the Redbacks.

Kelly, described as a World Cup smoky by Mark Waugh, took 6-67 in the second innings to continue his stunning summer.

Philippe will continue in the middle-order, where he feels more comfortable in the longer forms.

“I think batting in the middle order suits my game a lot better, it gives me a bit more freedom to play my shots,” he said.