Chamari Athapaththu to use Lasith Malinga’s jersey number 99 in BBL

Sri Lanka's women's team captain Chamari Athapaththu will wear Lasith Malinga's jersey number 99 in the BBL (Big Bash League) tournament in Australia. 

The 33-year-old Chamari will this year play for another team in the Women's BBL. 

"New  Jersey Number for New Team (Sydney Thunder)", she has posted a messdage on social media with emoji signs. Very special jersey number  for  Sri Lanka fans Lasith Malinga Aiya’s Number. It is an honor for me to wear the jersey with this number (99)".

"I am not aware whether Chamari picked this new number for her new team or it was the choice of the team management. In Sri Lanka, the option is given to the players subject to the availability of that number", a top Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) official said over the telephone from Colombo. 

In the past, she played for Melbourne Renegades and Perth Schorchers team. 

The tournament in Australia is begining on Thursday (October 19) and the final on Decwember 2. 

"We gave her approval to play in Australia and she will return in the month of December", the official added. 

Sydney Thunder's first match is on Sunday, the October 22 against Sydney Sixers team. 

The aprooval to Chamari is given as we have no immediate assignement for the women's team. 

Sri Lankan women's team will be travelling to South Africa in February/March. Before that the team may travel to Zimbabwe. (Bipin Dani)