Latest news with #Scorchers
West Australian
11-07-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Perth Scorchers batter Maddy Darke working on aggression to keep top-order job
Perth Scorchers batter Maddy Darke is working on turning to more aggressive strokes earlier in her innings as part of a bid to regain her spot at the top of the order. Darke and off-spinner Lilly Mills both signed new one-year deals with the club on Thursday. But despite averaging just shy of 50 and being Western Australia's most damaging batter in the Women's National Cricket League last season, Darke scored just 18 runs in four matches and was was left on the outer for the Scorchers. The new deal gives the New South Wales-born opener — who holds Test ambitions — the chance to prove she can be a genuine three-format player. 'I think it's just about the timing and the tempo of the innings,' Darke said. 'It means going to certain shots earlier than I'd like to, like in a 50-over game I can pace myself and probably play those shots from 10 overs onwards. In a Twenty20 you don't really get that luxury. 'I'm just trying to challenge myself to do that earlier and earlier. 'The WBBL has such a wide array of talented international players, so it just adds to the difficulty I suppose. 'I back my strengths in, but I'm working out there's room to explore there.' The Scorchers have long been eager to have batting ace Sophie Devine settle into the middle-order. They hope the signing of Adelaide Strikers champion Katie Mack, who will likely pair with Darke, could help them make it happen. 'The nature of our styles of play, me and Katie Mack play a bit more of a running game, probably touch and placement, that kind of thing, whereas Soph has got the power,' Darke said. 'It's just about being flexible as players to work in with what Becky (Grundy) wants.' Darke had interest from other clubs, who would have watched with interest as she missed out on the side last season, but both her and Mills said it was an easy decision to stay in Perth. Mills will enter her sixth season as a Scorcher after moving for both formats from Queensland. She is part of a growing spin-bowling troupe that include guns Alana King and Amy Edgar, but now also international signing Chloe Tryon. 'I think it's interesting, typically we speak about the WACA as a bit of a nasty fasty, but the thing that makes it difficult over here is the actual bounce and using that to our strength,' Mills said. 'In the last few years it really has gripped and we have been able to have quality spinners. Adding Chloe to that mix is only going to bring depth.' King and West Australian spinner Corey Rocchiccioli are the perfect example of that.
Belfast Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Amy Hunter and Bella Armstrong lead The Dragons to T20 Trophy delight
Irish international Hunter stroked 12 boundaries in a top score of 89 from just 58 balls in the morning win over Scorchers. The 19-year-old shared an opening stand of 171 in 17 overs with New Zealand overseas player Armstrong, matching each other blow for blow, with the latter clearing the ropes three times and hitting 11 fours in her 85 from 54 deliveries. The Dragons finished on an imposing 202 for four, with two wickets apiece for Irish internationals Sophie MacMahon and Ava Canning. Gaby Lewis was, however, undaunted by the huge chase, and while she was at the crease the target looked within reach. She thumped 14 fours and a maximum in a fluent 77 from 39 balls, but none of the other batters were able to score at the required rate. Louise Little made 26 in an opening stand of 59, while Canning bunted two over the ropes in a breezy 24, but they fell 38 adrift on 164 all out. Arlene Kelly took three wickets, while there were two apiece for Armstrong and Orla Prendergast. The afternoon game followed a similar script with Hunter and Armstrong adding 141 in 14 overs for the opening wicket. Armstrong hit 17 boundaries in a rapid 90, while Hunter's 62 included 11 fours. Prendergast kept the runs flowing with a quick-fire unbeaten 25 as The Dragons finished on 191 for three. Rebecca Stokell got the reply off to a quick start with five fours in a 13-ball 25, but was run out just after a rain break. Leah Paul looked good in her 45 (five fours), and there was some hope as former Irish captain Laura Delany was joined by Zara Craig (18). The pair added 56 in six overs but the required rate was just too much. Delany finished unbeaten on 60 from 47 balls (five fours), but the Dragons prevailed by 11 runs. Meanwhile, in the NCU Women's Premiership, defending champions Waringstown are two wins away from another title after an eight-wicket win at home to Muckamore. Two wickets apiece from Abigaile Gerken and Lucia Derby helped them restrict the Moylena side to 80 for seven — Nikki Niblock making 22. Fiona Murray took two wickets in the chase, but a third-wicket partnership of 44 between Amy Caulfield (31 not out) and Gerken (23 not out) clinched the easy win in the 12th over. Holywood's title ambitions suffered a major jolt when they were beaten by 10 runs (DLS) by CSNI. The Seapark side were bundled out for just 72 with three wickets for Eva Wilson, and two apiece for Katie West and Emily Carville. Wilson (19) then added 51 for the second wicket with skipper Jemma Gillan (21 not out) that saw CSNI ahead of the game when the match was stopped by the rain after 15 overs. North Down's Gracie Keenan hit nine fours in an unbeaten 77, sharing a second wicket stand of 91 with Kiara Fisher (42) as the Comber side made 159 for one against Lisburn. Gracie Wilson (51) and Lucy Andrews (36) added 92 in 13 overs but the Wallace Park side fell 13 runs adrift in another match curtailed by the weather.
The Advertiser
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
BBL says 'never say never' to Christmas Day game
The BBL's attitude to Christmas Day cricket is "never say never" but demand to play on the biggest public holiday of the year isn't there. Cricket has toyed with the idea of playing on Christmas Day since the BBL started in 2011, even introducing Christmas Eve games in 2019. But they were scrapped in 2023, indicating a move into December 25 is unlikely in the near future. The NBL has played games on Christmas Day since 2022, but remains the only Australian sporting competition to do so. "Never say never," BBL boss Alistair Dobson said, after announcing the fixture for the 2025-26 competition. "It's one of the ones where each year, when we sit down to lay out how the season might look. "Ultimately, the interest and the demand from our key stakeholders probably isn't there right now, whether that's broadcasters or clubs, to push into that particular day. "It's not something that we need to put in there from a fixturing perspective, so it wasn't on the agenda for this year." The upcoming BBL will begin at Perth's Optus Stadium on December 14 when the Scorchers host the Sydney Sixers. Reigning champions Hobart's first match will be at home two nights later in a rematch of last season's final against the Sydney Thunder. The BBL final will be held on January 25, meaning there again will be no cricket played on Australia Day. Last season proved to be a serious return to form for the BBL, backed up by increased crowds and TV ratings. Dobson believes the BBL has the length - 40 matches - spot on. "The momentum we've had both from an attendance and TV perspective the last couple of seasons, suggests that was the right move," Dobson said of the reduction in games three seasons ago. "The fans and our players and our broadcasters are all supporting that." Dobson believes it's the "season we've been waiting for", with the BBL to start during the Ashes, while Australian stars could play significant roles for franchises at the back end of the tournament. International players are likely to use the BBL as a runway into the T20 World Cup, to be played in Sri Lanka and India in February. "It's fair to say we earmarked this season from a while back," Dobson said. "All those things in the mix ... so I'm convinced this is as good a year as we've had almost ever." The BBL's attitude to Christmas Day cricket is "never say never" but demand to play on the biggest public holiday of the year isn't there. Cricket has toyed with the idea of playing on Christmas Day since the BBL started in 2011, even introducing Christmas Eve games in 2019. But they were scrapped in 2023, indicating a move into December 25 is unlikely in the near future. The NBL has played games on Christmas Day since 2022, but remains the only Australian sporting competition to do so. "Never say never," BBL boss Alistair Dobson said, after announcing the fixture for the 2025-26 competition. "It's one of the ones where each year, when we sit down to lay out how the season might look. "Ultimately, the interest and the demand from our key stakeholders probably isn't there right now, whether that's broadcasters or clubs, to push into that particular day. "It's not something that we need to put in there from a fixturing perspective, so it wasn't on the agenda for this year." The upcoming BBL will begin at Perth's Optus Stadium on December 14 when the Scorchers host the Sydney Sixers. Reigning champions Hobart's first match will be at home two nights later in a rematch of last season's final against the Sydney Thunder. The BBL final will be held on January 25, meaning there again will be no cricket played on Australia Day. Last season proved to be a serious return to form for the BBL, backed up by increased crowds and TV ratings. Dobson believes the BBL has the length - 40 matches - spot on. "The momentum we've had both from an attendance and TV perspective the last couple of seasons, suggests that was the right move," Dobson said of the reduction in games three seasons ago. "The fans and our players and our broadcasters are all supporting that." Dobson believes it's the "season we've been waiting for", with the BBL to start during the Ashes, while Australian stars could play significant roles for franchises at the back end of the tournament. International players are likely to use the BBL as a runway into the T20 World Cup, to be played in Sri Lanka and India in February. "It's fair to say we earmarked this season from a while back," Dobson said. "All those things in the mix ... so I'm convinced this is as good a year as we've had almost ever." The BBL's attitude to Christmas Day cricket is "never say never" but demand to play on the biggest public holiday of the year isn't there. Cricket has toyed with the idea of playing on Christmas Day since the BBL started in 2011, even introducing Christmas Eve games in 2019. But they were scrapped in 2023, indicating a move into December 25 is unlikely in the near future. The NBL has played games on Christmas Day since 2022, but remains the only Australian sporting competition to do so. "Never say never," BBL boss Alistair Dobson said, after announcing the fixture for the 2025-26 competition. "It's one of the ones where each year, when we sit down to lay out how the season might look. "Ultimately, the interest and the demand from our key stakeholders probably isn't there right now, whether that's broadcasters or clubs, to push into that particular day. "It's not something that we need to put in there from a fixturing perspective, so it wasn't on the agenda for this year." The upcoming BBL will begin at Perth's Optus Stadium on December 14 when the Scorchers host the Sydney Sixers. Reigning champions Hobart's first match will be at home two nights later in a rematch of last season's final against the Sydney Thunder. The BBL final will be held on January 25, meaning there again will be no cricket played on Australia Day. Last season proved to be a serious return to form for the BBL, backed up by increased crowds and TV ratings. Dobson believes the BBL has the length - 40 matches - spot on. "The momentum we've had both from an attendance and TV perspective the last couple of seasons, suggests that was the right move," Dobson said of the reduction in games three seasons ago. "The fans and our players and our broadcasters are all supporting that." Dobson believes it's the "season we've been waiting for", with the BBL to start during the Ashes, while Australian stars could play significant roles for franchises at the back end of the tournament. International players are likely to use the BBL as a runway into the T20 World Cup, to be played in Sri Lanka and India in February. "It's fair to say we earmarked this season from a while back," Dobson said. "All those things in the mix ... so I'm convinced this is as good a year as we've had almost ever."
7NEWS
03-07-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Christmas Day cricket not on the agenda as BBL releases fixture
The BBL's attitude to Christmas Day cricket is 'never say never' but demand to play on the biggest public holiday of the year isn't there. Cricket has toyed with the idea of playing on Christmas Day since the BBL started in 2011, even introducing Christmas Eve games in 2019. But they were scrapped in 2023, indicating a move into December 25 is unlikely in the near future. The NBL has played games on Christmas Day since 2022, but remains the only Australian sporting competition to do so. 'Never say never,' BBL boss Alistair Dobson said, after announcing the fixture for the 2025-26 competition. 'It's one of the ones where each year, when we sit down to lay out how the season might look. 'Ultimately, the interest and the demand from our key stakeholders probably isn't there right now, whether that's broadcasters or clubs, to push into that particular day. 'It's not something that we need to put in there from a fixturing perspective, so it wasn't on the agenda for this year.' The upcoming BBL will begin at Perth's Optus Stadium on December 14 when the Scorchers host the Sydney Sixers. Reigning champions Hobart's first match will be at home two nights later in a rematch of last season's final against the Sydney Thunder. The BBL final will be held on January 25, meaning there again will be no cricket played on Australia Day. Last season proved to be a serious return to form for the BBL, backed up by increased crowds and TV ratings. Dobson believes the BBL has the length - 40 matches - spot on. 'The momentum we've had both from an attendance and TV perspective the last couple of seasons, suggests that was the right move,' Dobson said of the reduction in games three seasons ago. 'The fans and our players and our broadcasters are all supporting that.' Dobson believes it's the 'season we've been waiting for', with the BBL to start during the Ashes, while Australian stars could play significant roles for franchises at the back end of the tournament. International players are likely to use the BBL as a runway into the T20 World Cup, to be played in Sri Lanka and India in February. 'It's fair to say we earmarked this season from a while back,' Dobson said. 'All those things in the mix ... so I'm convinced this is as good a year as we've had almost ever.'
Perth Now
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Christmas Day cricket not on the agenda as BBL releases fixture
The BBL's attitude to Christmas Day cricket is 'never say never' but demand to play on the biggest public holiday of the year isn't there. Cricket has toyed with the idea of playing on Christmas Day since the BBL started in 2011, even introducing Christmas Eve games in 2019. But they were scrapped in 2023, indicating a move into December 25 is unlikely in the near future. The NBL has played games on Christmas Day since 2022, but remains the only Australian sporting competition to do so. 'Never say never,' BBL boss Alistair Dobson said, after announcing the fixture for the 2025-26 competition. 'It's one of the ones where each year, when we sit down to lay out how the season might look. 'Ultimately, the interest and the demand from our key stakeholders probably isn't there right now, whether that's broadcasters or clubs, to push into that particular day. 'It's not something that we need to put in there from a fixturing perspective, so it wasn't on the agenda for this year.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. The upcoming BBL will begin at Perth's Optus Stadium on December 14 when the Scorchers host the Sydney Sixers. Reigning champions Hobart's first match will be at home two nights later in a rematch of last season's final against the Sydney Thunder. The BBL final will be held on January 25, meaning there again will be no cricket played on Australia Day. Last season proved to be a serious return to form for the BBL, backed up by increased crowds and TV ratings. Dobson believes the BBL has the length - 40 matches - spot on. 'The momentum we've had both from an attendance and TV perspective the last couple of seasons, suggests that was the right move,' Dobson said of the reduction in games three seasons ago. 'The fans and our players and our broadcasters are all supporting that.' Dobson believes it's the 'season we've been waiting for', with the BBL to start during the Ashes, while Australian stars could play significant roles for franchises at the back end of the tournament. International players are likely to use the BBL as a runway into the T20 World Cup, to be played in Sri Lanka and India in February. 'It's fair to say we earmarked this season from a while back,' Dobson said. 'All those things in the mix ... so I'm convinced this is as good a year as we've had almost ever.'
