For next three WBBL seasons, Chamari Athapaththu signs up with Sydney Thunder
The captain of Sri Lanka won men cricket team Chamari Athapaththu has signed up with Sydney Thunder for the next three seasons of the Women’s Big Bash League. She was a last-minute addition to the club in last year’s WBBL, and ended up as the second highest run scorer of the league, by smashing 511 runs at an average 42.58, and striking at 129.69, including five half centuries.She also claimed nine wickets, including a best of 3-20 against the Sydney Sixers, and had an economy rate of 6.79.
Chamari said, “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. 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.
She also said, “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. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m so excited for what’s ahead.”
Chamari has been signed by the Thunder under the league’s new multi-year contract system unlike in previous seasons where overseas signings in the WBBL were contracted on a one-year basis.