Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket captain Chamari Atapattu is ready to play her first Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) fixture for Perth Scorchers today (17) against Brisbane Heat at the Bellerive Oval, Australia.
Atapattu said that this is the first time she is contracted with the Perth Scorchers, having earlier represented the Melbourne Renegades for two years.
“Last year I received an invitation to play in the WBBL, but instead, I decided to play in the Women’s IPL in Sharjah.
“After a lapse of 11 months I am very keen to play in this world number one franchise women’s cricket tournament.
“That’s good for me before the ICC World Cup Qualifying Tournament which is scheduled to commence in Zimbabwe in November as most of the leading world’s women cricketers are involved in this WBBL and it’s an ideal opportunity to gain more exposure”, said Atapattu.
“I also like to see more Sri Lankan women’s cricketers at franchise cricket in the future.”
Atapattu has a fancy to play on Australian pitches and in fact two of the left-hander’s six international centuries have come on Australian soil.
She smashed 113 from 66 balls in a T20 International at North Sydney Oval in 2019, following it up with 103 in an ODI at the Allan Border Field one week later.
She also showed a liking for the WACA ground during last year’s T20 World Cup scoring a 38-ball 50 against the hosts.
Perth Scorchers coach Shelley Nitschke said they are very happy with the inclusion of Atapattu.
“Chamari Atapattu is an undeniable match winner and can take the game away from the opposition very quickly,” said Nitschke.
Atapattu was Sri Lanka’s first women’s cricketer to play franchise league cricket, having turned out for the Yorkshire Diamonds and Loughborough Lightning in England.