Published: Aug 15, 2019, 11:51 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 15, 2019, 11:51 AM (IST)
The Sydney Sixers have signed up 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Maddy Darke for the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
The teenager has impressed with her performances over the past year, which include three centuries in the 2018-19 Women’s Premier Cricket season. She was also a part of the Australia Under-19s that toured New Zealand and is included in Cricket Australia’s National Performance Squad.
Drake, who hails from Sydney, recently earned a state contract with the NSW Breakers.
(READ: Women’s T20 cricket included for 2022 Commonwealth Games)
Alyssa Healy, the Southern Stars’ wicketkeeper and opener, took to Twitter to welcome Drake to the WBBL franchise.
Yieww!
— Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) August 14, 2019
“I always looked up to players like Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy,” Darke said. “I know I am going to be able to learn a lot from everyone in the team but being a wicketkeeper and batter I am hoping I can just be a sponge around Midge (Healy).”
(READ: Australia’s women’s BBL gets own time slot)
Drake, currently studying physiotherapy at Australia Catholic University, was also part of the Australia A squad that toured England.
“I got the call-up as an injury replacement and it was a big surprise, something that came completely out of the blue,” she said. “One minute I was at home and the next minute I’m in England playing with people I have looked up to and who have played for Australia or been very close to that. It was the best tour ever for me.”
