Hobart Hurricanes batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge will miss Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12 after a calf injury, as the competition approaches. Wyatt-Hodge was the Hurricanes’ leading run-scorer during their title-winning campaign. She made 432 runs at 48.00 and received the club’s WBBL player of the year award. The Hurricanes have named Sri Lanka international Chamari Athapaththu as her replacement. The change comes shortly before the new season starts and follows Wyatt-Hodge’s important role in the team’s maiden championship.
Athapaththu has joined her fourth WBBL club after Sydney Thunder chose not to activate the third-year option on her contract. She has played in each of the past seven editions of the women’s Big Bash. Before her time with the Thunder in western Sydney, she represented Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers. The Sri Lankan was named WBBL 09 player of the tournament during her Thunder campaign. Her experience in the competition now gives Hobart an established international batter to bring into the group.
Hurricanes head of high performance Salliann Beams said the club was disappointed that Wyatt-Hodge would miss the season, while welcoming Athapaththu’s quality and leadership. Athapaththu is expected to join last year’s player of the final, Lizelle Lee, at the top of the Hurricanes’ order. Beams said the new signing had shown how influential she could be during her player of the tournament season with the Thunder. The club is looking forward to having her in Hobart for WBBL 12.
“We’re obviously incredibly disappointed for Danni (Wyatt-Hodge), who has been such an important part of our group and was influential in our maiden championship last year,” Beams said in a statement. “We wish her all the very best with her recovery. To be able to bring in someone of Chamari’s (Athapaththu) quality and experience is a fantastic result for the Hurricanes.
“She’s one of the most dangerous batters in world cricket, she’s a proven performer in the WBBL and she brings enormous leadership experience as captain of Sri Lanka.”
Beams also highlighted Athapaththu’s attacking style and the way it fits the Hurricanes’ plans. The Sri Lankan has played in the league for seven editions and brings leadership experience as captain of her national side. Hobart will now have her alongside Lee at the top of the order, following Wyatt-Hodge’s injury. The replacement gives the Hurricanes a player who has already performed in the WBBL and earned its player of the tournament award.
“Chamari plays an aggressive, fearless brand of cricket that fits perfectly with the way we want to play, and we’re looking forward to welcoming her to Hobart.”
WBBL 12 begins on Thursday with a double-header at Junction Oval in Melbourne. Melbourne Renegades will play Sydney Thunder first, followed by Melbourne Stars hosting Hobart Hurricanes under lights. Hobart will start the season without Wyatt-Hodge, who led its scoring in the championship campaign, but Athapaththu will join the squad as her replacement. The signing follows the injury announcement and brings the Hurricanes an experienced international batter for the tournament.
Beams said the Hurricanes were excited about Athapaththu joining the group. She described her as a dangerous batter and proven WBBL performer, while highlighting her leadership experience with Sri Lanka. The announcement came three days before the competition’s opening day, leaving Hobart to make the change before its first match.
On a mission to promote women’s cricket around the world! Follow our story: