Maddy Darke is returning to the Sydney Sixers after signing with the club through to the end of the 2028-29 season. The local product began her Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) career with the Sixers before moving on to the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers. She played 13 matches for Sydney across WBBL 05 and WBBL 06 before continuing her career elsewhere. Darke has represented the Scorchers for the past three seasons after further developing her game in Western Australia within the WACA’s women’s program. The right-handed wicketkeeper-batter now comes back to the club where her Big Bash journey started.
Darke’s return gives the Sixers another wicketkeeping and batting option for the upcoming Summer. Her time away from Sydney included spells with both the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers, adding to her domestic experience. She has continued her development through the WACA’s women’s program while playing in the Weber WBBL. After spending the past three seasons with the Scorchers, she now has the chance to wear the Sixers colours again. Her ability with both bat and gloves gives Sydney greater depth and versatility within the squad.
Sydney Sixers General Manager Rachael Haynes welcomed Darke back and said the club was pleased to have her return. Haynes pointed to the connection Darke already has with Sydney and her understanding of what representing the Sixers means. She also highlighted the progress the wicketkeeper-batter has made during recent seasons. “We’re thrilled to welcome Maddy back to the Sixers,” Haynes said. “She’s a player who knows our club and understands what it means to represent the Sixers.” Her comments reflected the value the club places on Darke’s familiarity and development.
Haynes also spoke about the improvement Darke has shown since leaving the Sixers. The former player has continued to build her game during her time with the Scorchers and through the WACA women’s program. “Maddy has continued to develop her game over recent seasons and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact she can have this summer.” The Sixers will now have Darke back in their group after her three seasons with Perth. Her return also takes her back to the club that gave her the start of her Weber WBBL career.
Darke said she was grateful for the chance to return and was looking forward to beginning this next chapter with Sydney. She described the Sixers as an important part of her cricket journey and said she was excited to get back behind the stumps. “I’m really grateful for the opportunity to return to the Sixers,” Darke said. “This is a club that has played an important role in my cricket journey and I’m excited to get back behind the stumps and contribute wherever I can.” She will now rejoin the squad after building further domestic experience away from Sydney.
Sydney Sixers WBBL 12 List (so far):
Maitlan Brown, Caoimhe Bray, Erin Burns, Alice Capsey (o/s), Lauren Cheatle, Maddy Darke, Sophia Dunkley (o/s), Ashleigh Gardner, Elsa Hunter, Amelia Kerr (o/s), Frankie Nicklin, Ellyse Perry, Courtney Sippel
Darke’s signing adds another right-handed wicketkeeper-batter to the Sydney Sixers squad for WBBL 12. Her return comes after 13 appearances for the club across WBBL 05 and WBBL 06, followed by time with the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers. She has spent the past three seasons with Perth before returning to Sydney for the next stage of her career. WBBL and BBL tickets are available now via the Sydney Sixers website. Darke’s contract through the end of the 2028-29 season completes her return to the club where her Big Bash journey began for the Sixers again.
