The Sydney Sixers have confirmed allrounder Eva Ragg as the club's final contract signing for Weber WBBL|12, with the 21-year-old agreeing to a two-year deal through to the end of 2028.
The announcement, made via Cricket NSW on Friday, also confirmed ACT wicketkeeper Grace Lyons has joined the squad as a local replacement for Maddy Darke, who has not recovered from a stress fracture and will miss the tournament.
Ragg made her representative debut for the NSW Breakers as Cap No. 279 in the Women's National Cricket League season opener against Queensland at Cricket Central on September 29. She received her cap from NSW captain and Sixers teammate Lauren Cheatle.
Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes said Ragg had developed quickly through the state pathway.
"Eva has progressed strongly as a young player coming through the NSW pathway," Haynes said.
"She has been in outstanding form so far this summer and is someone who takes the game on."
Haynes said Ragg had the tools to become a leading player for the club.
"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," Haynes said.
Darke's absence comes after she was already ruled out of the Spring Challenge with the same stress fracture. Haynes said the club was disappointed for Darke but would support her through the rehabilitation process.
"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," Haynes said.
Darke will train with the squad in Sydney before the Sixers depart for Brisbane on Thursday. She will then return to Western Australia to begin her rehabilitation.
Lyons, who keeps wicket for the ACT, will fill the gap in the squad for the duration of the tournament. Haynes said she brought depth to both the Sixers' gloves and batting order.
"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," Haynes said.
Haynes said the opportunity would benefit Lyons' development.
"It's a great opportunity for her to be embedded in a squad with some of the best players in the world, and we look forward to having her with us," Haynes said.
The Sixers depart for Brisbane on Thursday ahead of the start of their WBBL|12 campaign. Tickets for WBBL and BBL matches are available through the Sydney Sixers' website.