Chamari Atapattu signed by Melbourne Renegades in WBBL 2017-18

Chamari Atapattu became the first Sri Lankan woman cricketer to be signed by a franchise in Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Melbourne Renegades signed her for the third edition of the league which is all set to commence from December 9 this year. WBBL is recognised as the biggest franchise-based T20 competition in the women’s cricket. Atapattu had also featured for the franchise Yorkshire Diamonds in Kia Super League soon after the World Cup.

Chamari came into the limelight this year after the record-breaking innings of 178* against Australia in the World Cup in England. Moreover, the knock has given her the name and is since then being followed by the cricket fans. She also played a match-winning knock of 66* for Diamonds against Loughborough Lightning in the Super League. Though she struggled in the tournament but made some crucial contributions to the side’s cause.

I am excited a lot

Chamari Atapattu was excited after being signed by the Melbourne Renegades franchise and expressed her happiness to play in the tournament. She will be joined by Amy Satterthwaite and Lea Tahuhu from New Zealand as the team’s overseas recruits. “I am excited to come to Melbourne this season and play with the Renegades. The WBBL is a big competition and the club has lots of fan, so it will be great to have that support,” she told Renegades after signing the contract with the franchise.

Atapattu was named as the Women’s cricketer of the year by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and also bagged the awards for the best batsman in both T20I and One-Day International formats. She has been the batting mainstay for her team since her debut in 2009 in the international cricket. So far she played 130 matches across both the formats and has amassed over 3000 runs and with age on her side, she is expected to reach greater heights in her career.