That's the opinion of two of the South Launceston star's opponents following another big-hitting masterclass from the evergreen left-hander.

Philip's 56-ball 86 guided South to a three-run win over Latrobe, shot him to to the top of Cricket North's batting charts (395 runs in seven games) and saw him awarded player of the round for his trouble.

MORE CRICKET: Knight Philip praises teammates

Cricket Tasmania denies 'absurd' BBL finance claims

Boden, Curtis deliver big wins in Cricket North women's

"He's a handful - he's been a consistent performer over the last four or five years," Mowbray coach James Storay said.

"Just when you think you're on top of them they send him out - he's naturally gifted and he can see it like a beachball at times.

"He's ever-reliable for South, I'm sure if you ask South they'd describe him as very reliable and when he gets going he's definitely one of the - if not the - best batsmen in the comp by a fair way."

The 27-year-old has indeed established himself as one of the competition's premier batsmen in recent times, topping Cricket North royalty Dane Anderson for total runs scored in the past two seasons.

Few sides have faced South's number five as regularly in that time as reigning premier Westbury, who have experienced the joys of dismissing Philip cheaply and the bittersweet emotions of watching him whack a hundred.

"He's just class - it's no surprise that he's doing it again this year," Shamrocks skipper Dan Murfet said.

"He's certainly someone that gives us a lot of headaches when we come up against South - he's the sort of batter you've got to try and get early because if you don't he really can punish you, especially late in the innings.

MORE SPORT: TSL flag stars depart for Wynyard

Whitford signs off with another best and fairest

Deloraine father-daughter combo team up in NTFAW

"He's a powerful hitter but he's also a very smart batter I think, he assesses different situations really well.

"For us we're always confident that if we put the balls in the right areas we can get him out early, but I think he's shown that if sides can't do that - especially this season right now - that he'll make you pay and he's playing a really anchoring role for South at the moment."