Just two weeks before the Weber WBBL.10 Draft, the Sydney Thunder pulled off a huge coup when Chamari Athapaththu, the winner of the WBBL Player of the Tournament the previous year, committed to play for the Western Sydney side for the next three seasons.
After signing with Thunder as an undrafted free agent the previous season, Athapaththu filled the fourth spot on the team’s roster and quickly established herself as more than just a stand-in for the club’s draughted players when they weren’t available.
The skipper of Sri Lanka scored 511 runs at 42.58 to finish the regular season as the second-highest run scorer, including five half-centuries. His strike rate was 129.69. She also kept an economy rate of 6.79 while claiming nine wickets, including 3-20 against the Sixers.
Four Player of the Match titles, the league’s Player of the Tournament title, a berth on the Team of the Tournament, and the Alex Blackwell Medal, which goes to Thunder’s player of the year, were all the results of those contributions.
Chamari Athapaththu became a cult figure off the pitch among her teammates and followers, and at the Sydney Smash at the SCG, a unique bay was devoted to her devoted army of supporters.
Chamari Athapaththu has signed under the League’s new multi-year contract clause, in contrast to past seasons when overseas signings in the WBBL were committed for a single year. In order to get top talent for teams on a longer-term basis, the multi-year provision was introduced. This allows each club to sign one abroad player per season for a maximum of three years, outside of the Draft.
The remaining foreign players can be signed as Replacement Players to supplement full-time squad members, or clubs can acquire them through the Draft.
Athapaththu stated, “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,” while speaking from London, where she is competing for the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred competition. There are countless reasons to cherish my Sydney Thunder family. It matters to me that my teammates are friends that encourage one another to improve daily rather than just coworkers.
“The Thunder Nation’s support is also extremely unique. Sydney Thunder’s heart and soul is Western Sydney, and it is an honour to represent such a vibrant and diverse town.I’m really looking forward to what lies ahead; this journey has been amazing so far,” Chamari continued.
Trent Copeland, general manager of the Sydney Thunder, stated that Athapaththu’s antics off the pitch were just as well-liked in Western Sydney as her on-field exploits. “Having Chamari back with the Thunder and available for the whole WBBL|10 tournament is really exciting,” Copeland remarked.
“We made every effort to ensure she returned, but we are aware that other teams were interested in signing her.”In addition to being a superb cricket player, Chamari is also a remarkable person who puts her team and her fans first.
“On the pitch, Chamari had one of the best seasons in the WBBL, and we are looking forward to her return and bringing our fans so much joy, especially our multicultural fans who supported her so strongly last season. It was truly amazing to see how she embraced and engaged with our members and fans last summer.”
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The news of Athapaththu’s agreement comes after Western Sydney’s preferred club revealed that experienced fast bowler Taneale Peschel and rising sensation Georgia Voll have committed to multi-year contracts with the side.
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