WA batters Mikayla Hinkley and Maddy Darke compile 484-run partnership for Subiaco-Floreat in Premier Cricket

WA batters Mikayla Hinkley and Maddy Darke have sent Premier Cricket historians diving for the record books by peeling off a massive 484-run partnership for Subiaco-Floreat. Dropping back down into club cricket after featuring for WA in their pair of Women’s National Cricket League wins over Victoria earlier this week, the pair opened the batting together against Perth on Sunday and wasted no time in putting the Demons’ bowlers to the sword. Hinkley smashed 243 not out from 157 deliveries, the second-best score at any level of recorded cricket around the State so far this season. The right-hander brought up her first century from just 67 balls and only became more aggressive from there, striking 24 boundaries and 10 sixes in her remarkable innings. Wicketkeeper Darke was slightly more sedate than her opening partner but herself managed 209 not out from 147 balls in an effort which included 29 fours to go with a solitary six. None of Perth’s bowlers were spared, with all seven Demons to send down a delivery going at a run rate above seven per over. Hinkley and Darke have both been key figures in WA’s push to the WNCL final, with Darke having 344 runs to her credit to figure as the competition’s eighth-leading run-scorer, while 11th-placed Hinkley has 301. After losing their first four games and heading into the mid-season break for the Women’s Big Bash League on the bottom of the ladder, WA have won their six since to shoot up to third.