Perth Scorchers batter Maddy Darke has delivered a brutally honest assessment of the team's recent Women's Big Bash League campaign, labelling their failure to reach the finals as just that—a complete failure.
A Season of Frustration and Missed Opportunities
The Scorchers, a powerhouse in the WBBL, finished a disappointing sixth on the ladder in the 2024-25 season. This marked the second consecutive year the star-studded squad, featuring international talents like Sophie Devine, Chamari Athapaththu, and Amy Jones, fell short of the playoff stages. For Darke, a homegrown Western Australian talent, this outcome is simply unacceptable.
"I think it's a failure," Darke stated unequivocally. "I think we should be making finals every year with the squad we have." She pointed to the team's inconsistent performances, noting they would produce a dominant win one day followed by a lacklustre loss the next. This inconsistency, she believes, was the core reason they watched the finals from the sidelines.
Looking Ahead: Redemption and a New-Look Squad for WBBL 2025
Despite the bleak review, Darke's focus is firmly on the future. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is already looking ahead to WBBL|11 in 2025, viewing it as a critical chance for redemption. The upcoming season will see significant changes, with the club confirming that overseas stars Sophie Devine, Chamari Athapaththu, and Amy Jones will not return.
This opens the door for a refreshed squad dynamic. Darke sees this as an opportunity for the team's local core to step up and take greater ownership. "It's going to be a completely new-looking team," she acknowledged, expressing excitement about building a new team culture and identity from the ground up.
Darke herself is determined to be a central figure in this rebuild. After a season where she felt she didn't contribute as significantly as she could have, she is setting personal goals to become a more consistent and impactful player. Her ambition is to help forge a united and resilient Scorchers unit that can consistently compete for the WBBL championship.
The Path Forward for the Perth Scorchers
The message from within the Scorchers camp is clear: the recent results are not up to standard. Maddy Darke's candid comments reflect a team that is holding itself accountable. The challenge now is to channel that disappointment into motivation for the 2025 season.
With a new-look roster on the horizon, the pressure will be on the club's recruitment and the remaining playing group to develop a winning formula. For fans, Darke's frank assessment provides hope that the team recognises its shortcomings and is committed to returning the Perth Scorchers to their customary place among the WBBL's elite contenders.
