Chamari Athapaththu Signs a Three-Season WBBL Deal

Sydney Thunder has acquired the services of Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu for the three upcoming seasons of the WBBL. The pre-draft signing is a gesture that spells out how Sydney Thunder works and plans toward a great team in the future. This action-packed cricket tournament, the WBBL, will kick start on October 27, 2024.

Athapaththu’s Stellar Performance

Chamari Athapaththu had a fruitful stint with the Thunder last season. She played a significant role in the team’s fourth-place finish as an undrafted player. Athapaththu scored 552 runs at 42.46, besides taking nine wickets. She was adjudged the Player of the Tournament for her sterling effort. The kind of all-around contribution she made is precisely what the Thunder is looking for in building a winning squad.

Athapaththu was elated to confirm her continuity with Sydney Thunder for another three years. According to Athapaththu, it is the close-knit group within her fellow teammates and the Sydney Thunder community that continues to keep pushing each other for excellence. A new multi-year contract rule is an addition to the WBBL this year. While previously the overseas players used to be signed only for one season, this allows any team to sign one overseas player outside the draft for a maximum period of three years. Athapaththu is the first player who has been part of this new provision, giving her value within the team.

Thunder’s Strategy and Vision

According to Trent Copeland, General Manager of Sydney Thunder, Athapaththu was an integral part of the team. Chamari’s an exceptional player, but she’s an even better person. We certainly knew there were other teams interested in signing her, and we did everything in our power to make sure she came back.

Athapaththu has also played for other WBBL teams like Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers. Her coming back to the Thunder after getting inducted into the squad last season as a replacement player proves the bond between her and the team and its fans. Her previous stints and recent performances prove her worth for Sydney Thunder.

Conclusion

Sydney Thunder will kick-start their 2024-25 WBBL campaign with a fixture against Hobart Hurricanes on October 28. The fans await keenly how Athapaththu and her troop are going to turn up in performance. With a line-up and thorough focus, the Thunder are eyeing a big mark in the league.

The three-season deal signed by Chamari Athapaththu with Sydney Thunder is going to benefit the team from the game-play perspective. She is a quality player, and Sydney Thunder can back on her performance. With a new season of WBBL approaching, Athapaththu can turn out to be a vital element in the victory for the Thunder.