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.