Chamari Athapaththu signs three-year deal with Sydney Thunder

Syndey Thunder signed Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu on a three-year contract, while Perth Scorchers signed Sophie Devine and are reportedly in talks with Finn Allen. 

Chamari Athapaththu signs three-year deal with Sydney Thunder

Last year, a Facebook post from Athapththu went viral after she did not receive contracts in the Hundred, WBBL or India's WPL despite her stellar performances for Sri Lanka. Fast-forward to now, and she has played for Oval Invincibles, UP Warriorz and Sydney Thunder.

Signing as a replacement player for the Thunder in last year's WBBL, she ended up as the Player of the Tournament, registering 552 runs and nine wickets in 15 matches. Last month, Athapaththu also led Sri Lanka to a historic Women's Asia Cup triumph.

On Friday, the Thunder announced the signing of Athapaththu on a three-year contract under the WBBL's new signing rules ahead of the 2024 season. These multi-year contracts now allow teams to secure one overseas player for up to three years before the player draft takes place.

Athapththu is now contractually obliged to be available for the WBBL in 2025, 2026 and 2027. The other players signed ahead of the draft in this manner so far have been Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers), Nadine de Klerk (Brisbane Heat), Marizanne Kapp (Melbourne Stars) and Hayley Matthews (Melbourne Renegades).

Speaking on the new deal, Athapaththu 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.

"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." (wisden)