Sixers openers Kurtis Patterson and Philippe began cautiously after Moises Henriques won the toss and opted to bat at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Patterson fell in the third over, trying to pull Spencer Johnson, but Philippe continued in the company of Daniel Hughes.

Jimmy Peirson introduced spin in the sixth over, and off-spinner Nathan McSweeney conceded four off the over. The Sixers were 43-1 when left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann came to bowl the next over.

Kuhnemann’s first ball was slightly outside off stump. Philippe tried to sweep, but the ball hit something before reaching Peirson, who caught the ball. He appealed, but umpire Sam Nogajski turned it down.

Peirson reviewed. When replays revealed that the ball had pitched, then brushed Philippe’s gloves before hitting him on the pad. TV umpire Paul Wilson ruled Philippe not out.

But Peirson did not concede, for his appeal for caught behind had remained unresolved. Following a brief team conference, the Heat fielders insisted that Wilson looked into it again.

Philippe had to walk back, caught Peirson bowled Kuhnemann. The Sixers finished on 116-9. Five of their batters reached double figures, but Hughes (23) was the only one to go past 20 as Johnson (3-28) and Kuhnemann (3-17) picked up three wickets each.

At the time of writing, the Heat are 52-3 in nine overs, with Sam Hain and Peirson at the crease, on six runs apiece. The winner of the BBL Challenger will play the Perth Scorchers in the final at the Perth Stadium on February 4.

Watch Josh Philippe’s dismissal in BBL Challenger here:

What a review from Brisbane!

The lbw was ruled out due to a little spike – but Jimmy Peirson held the catch! #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/jifHTMorW3

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 2, 2023