Perth Scorchers have locked away two important members of their exciting squad, securing title-winning offspinner Lilly Mills and classy wicketkeeper-batter Maddy Darke for the Weber WBBL|11 season.
Darke, Mills and Thrills
Entering her fifth season as a Scorcher, Mills sits seventh on the Scorchers all-time list of WBBL wicket-takers with 41 wickets at 19.17 in 47 games for the Club.
The 24-year-old featured once for Brisbane Heat in WBBL|05 before moving west in WBBL|07, playing every game of the Scorchers’ championship campaign.
An excellent fielder and useful lower-order batter, Mills’ efforts across formats were recognised when she was selected for Australia A against India A last summer.
Get closer to the action with a Scorchers Membership, on sale now.
Darke, meanwhile, has built her game since joining the Scorchers in WBBL|08 after stints with Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers.
An elegant top-order batter and polished wicketkeeper, Darke played alongside Mills for Australia A and struck an unbeaten century against a quality bowling attack.
The classy 24-year-old has played 36 WBBL games and shown promise towards the top of the order, having also dominated for WA in the Women’s National Cricket League.
In recent years both Darke and Mills have taken out the WA Cricket Female Rising Star award, pointing towards a bright future for the Scorchers.
Quotes attributable to Lilly Mills:
“I’m stoked to be sticking around the Scorchers for another season. The group we have currently is really building something and I’m excited to be part of it.
“It’s always so fun playing at the Furnace and in front our fans and I’m looking forward to walking out again this season and feeling their support.
“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and helping bring home another piece of silverware.”
Quotes attributable to Maddy Darke:
“I’m very excited to be extending with the Scorchers, I love being able to play my cricket here in Perth.
“We’ve got a great group of people over here in the West and I’m excited to have another season with this bunch.
“I’m especially keen to play more games at the WACA Ground. It’s a great wicket and the atmosphere we get for our home games is the best going around.”
Perth Scorchers have three local spots left to fill.
Perth Scorchers list to date for Weber WBBL|11: Chloe Ainsworth, Maddy Darke, Sophie Devine (NZ), Amy Edgar, Mikayla Hinkley, Ebony Hoskin, Alana King, Katie Mack, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Paige Scholfield (UK), Chloe Tryon (SA).