Perth Scorchers rope in Marizanne Kapp and Chamari Athapaththu ahead of WBBL 2021

After six years of playing in Magenta, Marizanne Kapp will now turn out for Perth Scorchers in the seventh edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Since the league’s inception in 2015, Kapp has played all the matches for Sydney Sixers and was instrumental in winning two titles for the team. But not now, as the South African has headed towards the West and will now be playing under captain Sophie Devine.

This big announcement was made by the club on Friday 18 June. The 31-year-old is not only lethal with the ball, but she is also very handy with the bat often chipping with useful contributions lower down the order. The all-rounder has so far picked 90 wickets and scored 892 runs in the tournament. The Scorchers will now make the most of Kapp’s singing and try to finally end the trophy drought.

Over the past six years, the Scorchers have failed to bag a single trophy and have not reached the finals often falling short in the semis. Kapp will no doubt provide to fill that gap and help her new team win one.

“Marizanne is one of the premier all-rounders in world cricket and has a phenomenal WBBL record,” the Scorchers’ head coach Shelley Nitschke said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“With over a decade of international experience and a highly-regarded work ethic, Marizanne will have a strong impact both on and off-field for the Scorchers.”

Chamari Athapaththu to play for Perth Scorchers

Apart from Kapp, the Scorchers have also managed to sign Sri Lankan power-hitter Chamari Athapaththu to the team. She will be the perfect foil for Sophie Devine at the top. The team’s top-order now looks deadly with Beth Mooney too for the company. Athapaththu’s moment in the sun truly came during the ICC Women’s 50 Over World Cup in 2017 where she smashed 178 against Australia.

That knock took social media by storm and made Athapaththu the toast of her country. Apart from being a belligerent hitter, she also adds value with the ball in hand as she is a handy off-spinner. “Chamari Athapaththu is an undeniable match-winner and has the ability to take the game away from the opposition quickly,” Nitschke added.