Hannah Darlington has declared she is bowling better than when she was last picked for Australia after helping the Sydney Thunder move top of the WBBL with a four-run win over the Melbourne Stars.
Darlington claimed career-best figures of 5-10 at North Sydney Oval on Friday night, crashing Meg Lanning's retirement party as the Stars finished 9-121 in pursuit of the Thunder's 125.
The figures are the best of any bowler this season, and second only to Megan Schutt's 6-10 for the greatest by a quick in WBBL history.
Darlington's wickets included Stars captain Lanning, who was caught behind for 19 the day after announcing her shock retirement from international cricket.
And just as the Stars looked set to work their way into the game, Darlington had Maia Bouchier caught for 23.
Having made her Australia debut at 19, Darlington is now pressing for her first national selection in two years after taking 13 wickets in her last four WBBL games.
She is adamant she is a better bowler than when last called up, having added more variation to her game and overcome knee and thumb injuries.
"I'm 100 per cent (bowling better)," Darlington said.
"My body is in a much better situation. A few seasons under the belt has put me in good stead to stand at the top of my mark and want to bowl quickly."
Australia will announce their squad for the looming tour of India next week, but with Darcie Brown expected to return from a hamstring injury it will be difficult for Darlington to dislodge any bowlers.
"I'd love to be back in Australian colours," Darlington said.
"Whether that's soon or in a year or two doesn't really bother me."
Lanning had looked set to guide the Stars to a much-needed victory, showing off her trademark cut shots and guiding the ball expertly outside off stump before her dismissal.
Some late hitting from No.11 Milly Illingworth (14no from eight) gave the Stars some late hope with nine needed from the final over.
But Thunder spinner Chamari Athapaththu held her nerve to finish the game with a dot ball when five runs were required.
Lanning has set no end-date on her franchise Twenty20 career and the Stars will need to see the best of her for the next month with five straight wins required to make finals.
Last season's wooden-spooners, the Thunder's victory moves them back ahead of Adelaide in first place, with six wins from seven games.
The Sixers kept their finals hopes alive in Friday's other game, taking a commanding 57-run win over Hobart.
A 73-run stand between Chloe Tryon (40) and Ashleigh Gardner (32) set up the victory, with Gardner's powerful hitting over the legside helping the Sixers to 8-166.
Lauren Cheatle kept her good summer going with 2-18, as the Hurricanes stumbled to 109 all out in reply while also losing Shabnim Ismail to a finger injury.
The Sixers are now fifth, one win behind the finals-paying top four, while the Hurricanes are languishing in sixth and need a big run to qualify.
