Chamari Athapaththu, the dynamic Sri Lankan all-rounder, has signed a landmark three-year deal with Sydney Thunder, just two weeks ahead of the player draft for the 10th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). This signing marks a significant departure from the usual one-season contracts typically offered to overseas players, as Athapaththu has committed to being available for the entirety of the next three seasons under the WBBL’s new multi-year contract provision. This provision allows each of the eight clubs to sign one international player for up to three years outside of the player draft, a move that reflects the increasing professionalism and long-term planning in women’s cricket.
Athapaththu, who is currently playing for the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred, expressed her enthusiasm for the deal, stating, “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 added, “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… It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m so excited for what’s ahead.”
Athapaththu’s impact on the WBBL was particularly felt last season when she joined the Thunder as a replacement player after being overlooked in the inaugural overseas draft. Despite this initial setback, she quickly established herself as one of the league’s standout performers. The Sri Lankan captain amassed 552 runs, the second-highest tally in the tournament, at an average of 42.46 and a strike rate of 127.18. Additionally, she proved her versatility with the ball, taking nine wickets at an economy rate of 6.83. Her outstanding performances earned her the WBBL Player of the Tournament 2023-24 title, as well as the Thunder’s Player of the Season award and the prestigious Alex Blackwell Medal.
Athapaththu’s international credentials are equally impressive. Currently ranked sixth among T20I batters and fifth among T20I all-rounders by the ICC, she has been in phenomenal form. Most recently, she led Sri Lanka to a historic victory in the Women’s Asia Cup T20, where they defeated India, the seven-time champions, in the final. Athapaththu was the tournament’s leading run-scorer, accumulating 304 runs at a staggering average of 101.33, which included a career-best unbeaten 119. Her aggressive batting style was highlighted by her strike rate of 146.85 and her tally of 15 sixes, far surpassing any other player in the competition.
Since the conclusion of the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, Athapaththu has continued to dominate the format, scoring 1027 runs at an average of 41.08, including two centuries and six half-centuries. Her consistency and ability to perform under pressure make her one of the most valuable players in women’s cricket today.
Trent Copeland, General Manager of Sydney Thunder, expressed his delight at securing Athapaththu’s services for the next three seasons. “It’s incredibly exciting to have Chamari return to the Thunder and be available for the entire WBBL 2024 tournament,” Copeland said. “We know other teams were interested in signing her, but we made every effort to ensure she came back. Chamari is obviously an exceptional cricket player, but she is also an exceptional human being who is team first and fan first… We are looking forward to Chamari returning and bringing our fans so much joy, particularly our multicultural fans that got behind her in such numbers last season.”
Athapaththu’s signing significantly bolsters Sydney Thunder’s squad, which already includes key players like Samantha Bates, Hannah Darlington, and Phoebe Litchfield. With Athapaththu’s all-round abilities and leadership, the Thunder will be aiming for a strong performance in the upcoming WBBL season and beyond.
