Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka’s national women’s team skipper, has been signed by Sydney Thunder for the next three seasons, days out from the draft day of the 10th Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Athapaththu has been in spectacular form throughout 2024, including setting a record for most runs in an Asia Cup with 304 runs and leading Sri Lanka to their maiden championship. Her T20 World Cup Qualifiers performance was equally impressive, with 226 runs and multiple Player of the Match awards.
Athapaththu, who joined Thunder as an undrafted free agent last season, quickly became a significant player of the squad. Her exceptional performance throughout the season, including being the second-highest run scorer with 511 runs at an average of 42.58, caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. Her aggressive batting, highlighted by a strike rate of 129.69 and five half-centuries, was complemented by her contributions with the ball, taking nine wickets with an economy rate of 6.79. In her WBBL career, Athapaththu has played 51 matches, scoring 1063 runs with a high score of 80, and taken 13 wickets with best figures of 3/20.
Her remarkable achievements earned her several accolades, including four Player of the Match awards, the Player of the Tournament title, a place in the Team of the Tournament, and the prestigious Alex Blackwell Medal for Thunder’s player of the year.
Off the field, Athapaththu’s charisma and connection with the fans were evident, earning her a dedicated supporter bay at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the Sydney Smash. Her influence and popularity were proof of her role as a key figure in the Thunder community.
The new multi-year contract provision in the WBBL allows clubs to sign one overseas player each season for up to three years, offering stability and long-term planning. Thunder’s decision to secure Athapaththu under this new provision reflects their confidence in her impact and potential.
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From London, where she is currently competing in The Hundred for Oval Invincibles, Athapaththu expressed her excitement about the new deal. “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,” she said.
She further added, “The support from the Thunder Nation is incredibly special. Western Sydney is the heart and soul of Sydney Thunder and representing such a diverse and vibrant community is a privilege.”
Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland highlighted the significance of Athapaththu’s return. “It’s incredibly exciting to have Chamari back with us for WBBL|10. We made every effort to secure her despite interest from other teams. Chamari’s performance and her engagement with our fans were exceptional, and we’re thrilled to have her continue with us,” Copeland stated.
Athapaththu’s signing is part of Thunder’s bigger strategy, which also includes the recent acquisitions of emerging talent Georgia Voll and experienced fast bowler Taneale Peschel on multi-year deals. With these strategic additions, Sydney Thunder is set to make a strong impact in the upcoming season, continuing to build on their successes.