Sydney Sixers have changed their Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12 squad after Maddy Darke was ruled out for the entire season with a stress fracture. Darke signed a three-year deal to return to the club in October, but the injury has ended her chance to play this campaign. The Sixers have brought in ACT wicketkeeper Grace Lyons to cover the gap. The announcement came on Friday at 10:31 AM, as preparations continue.
Darke began her WBBL career with the Sixers in magenta before playing for Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars. Her October agreement marked her return to Sydney after those spells. The stress fracture means she will miss all of WBBL 12. The club confirmed she would still join the group at the beginning of preparations before returning to Western Australia for rehabilitation.
Lyons, 21, will provide wicketkeeping cover and another batting option. She captained the ACT Meteors during this year’s Spring Challenge. Her best performance came against Melbourne Stars, where she scored 40 off 36 balls. The Sixers selected her to fill Darke’s place and highlighted her ability to contribute to the batting order.
Outgoing Sixers General Manager Rachael Haynes said the club was disappointed for Darke but would support her recovery. Haynes said: “We’re disappointed for Maddy, but she will be part of the group for the start of our preparations, and everyone at the club is behind her as she begins her recovery,” in a statement. Darke will join the squad in Sydney before the team travels.
Haynes also spoke about Lyons’ role. She said: “Grace is an exciting young player who will provide good coverage from a keeping perspective in our squad, and she’s also more than capable of contributing to our batting order.” She added that joining the Sixers would give Lyons a chance to be part of a squad with some of the best players in the world. The club looks forward to having her involved.
Darke will join the squad in Sydney at the start of preparations. When the team leaves for Brisbane on Thursday, she will return to Western Australia and begin rehabilitation. She will spend a short time with the group before recovering away from the team. The announcement gives no match dates, opponents, venues or broadcast details.
The Sixers have also signed Eva Ragg to a two-year contract. The deal comes less than a month after she made her WNCL debut for New South Wales. Haynes said Ragg had progressed through the NSW pathway and was in outstanding form this summer. She described her as a player who takes the game on and can make a strong impact.
Haynes said: “She has all the attributes to be a genuine matchwinner and we are very excited to see what she can do this summer and beyond.” Ragg’s contract gives her a place with the Sixers for two years, while Lyons joins as wicketkeeping cover after Darke’s injury. The update confirms the injury, replacement and new contract.
Sydney Sixers WBBL 12 Squad
Head Coach: Peter Clarke
Ashleigh Gardner (C), Ellyse Perry, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Amelia Kerr, Sarah Coyte, Grace Lyons, Eva Ragg, Frankie Nicklin, Caoimhe Bray, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Lauren Cheatle, Elsa Hunter, Courtney Sippel
The Sixers have adjusted their group after Darke’s stress fracture ruled her out for WBBL 12. Lyons will provide wicketkeeping cover and batting support, while Ragg has signed for two years as the club’s final squad addition. Darke will join preparations before returning to Western Australia for rehabilitation. The announcement confirms these changes but does not provide a match schedule.
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