Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu signs a three-year deal with Sydney Thunder under the WBBL’s new multi-year contract provision that enables each of the eight clubs to sign one foreign player for up to three years outside of the season’s player draft.

In the last season, Thunder included Athapaththu as a last-minute addition but the allrounder executed a stellar performance that saw her crowned WBBL|09 Player of the Tournament.

Sydney Thunder signs Athapaththu under the league’s new multi-year, pre-draft contract provision for overseas players.

“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. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m so excited for what’s ahead”, said Athapaththu.

Post the T20 Women’s T20 World Cup, Athapaththu remains high in the format with her 1027 runs coming at an average of 41.08, including two hundred and six fifties.

Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said the club was delighted to re-sign the popular Sri Lankan, who had received interest from other clubs.

“It’s incredibly exciting to have Chamari return to the Thunder and be available for the entire WBBL 2024 tournament. We know other teams were interested in signing her, but we made every effort to ensure she came back.

Chamari is obviously an exceptional cricket player, but she is also an exceptional human being who is team first and fan first… We are looking forward to Chamari returning and bringing our fans so much joy, particularly our multicultural fans that got behind her in such numbers last season”, Thunder GM Trent Copeland said.

As per a report in CA, the introduction of the multi-year provision enables each club to sign one overseas player for up to three years outside of the WBBL draft, securing high-profile talent for clubs on a longer-term basis.

All remaining overseas players must be secured by clubs via either the draft on September 1 or alternatively, signed as a replacement player in place of a full-time squad member post-draft.

Players secured under the pre-draft provision must be available for the entire season from WBBL|11 onwards. The Thunder go into the draft with at least two overseas spots to fill and picks 5, 13, 21, 29 up their sleeve.

Thunder squad for WBBL|10 (so far): Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Sam Bates, Hannah Darlington, Saskia Horley, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson

As per the WBBL 2024 schedule, Sydney Thunder Women will play their first game of the season against Hobart Hurricanes Women on October 28 in Bellerive Oval, Hobart.

CHECK: WBBL 2024 Squad, Teams Full List – Women’s Big Bash League