Chamari Athapaththu has signed a three-year deal with Sydney Thunder ahead of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024. The Sri Lankan skipper was a part of the Thunder last year as an un-drafted free agent, filling in the fourth overseas slot at the club after some of their drafted cricketers became unavailable.
Athapaththu turned out to be a brute force after she finished the season as the second-highest run-scorer. The left-hander scored 511 runs at an average of 42.58, striking at 129.69 and including five half-centuries. She also accounted for nine wickets with a three-wicket haul against Sydney Sixers.
She also won four Player of the Match awards and eventually bagged the Player of the Tournament award as well. She also got the Alex Blackwell Medal, awarded to Thunder’s player of the year.
‘So much to love’
“Committing to Sydney Thunder for the next three seasons was an easy decision because I believe in the vision of this club, and I want to be part of its future success,” Athapaththu said from London where she is playing for the Oval Invincibles in the Hundred Women’s competition.”
“There’s so much to love about my Sydney Thunder family. My teammates are not just colleagues; they are friends who push each other to be better every day, [which] is important to me.
“The support from the Thunder Nation is also incredibly special. Western Sydney is the heart and soul of Sydney Thunder and representing such a diverse and vibrant community is a privilege to have,” she added.
Earlier, the Thunder confirmed signing veteran fast bowler Taneale Peschel and rising star Georgia Voll on multi-year deals.
The Thunder are set to begin their campaign on Monday, October 28 against Hobart Hurricanes at the Bellerive Oval.
Sydney Thunder WBBL squad (as at August 16)
Chamari Athapaththu (INT), Samantha Bates, Hannah Darlington, Saskia Horley, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson