Sports

Athapaththu brushes off draft snub, wins player of WBBL|09

Published

6 months ago

November 28, 2023

editor

Overlooked in the inaugural overseas player draft, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu took her eventual chance with both hands in WBBL|09

Chamari Athapaththu had a point to prove when she arrived in Australia in early October.

That is no longer the case, with the Sri Lanka superstar crowned the Weber WBBL|09 Player of the Tournament.

The Sydney Thunder import won a tight race by a single vote over Adelaide Strikers opener Katie Mack for the award, voted on a 3-2-1 basis by the standing umpires in each match.

Athapaththu finished the regular season second on the runs table with 511 runs at 42.58, striking at 129.69– an incredible return for a player overlooked in the inaugural overseas player draft following similar snubs at the WPL and The Hundred.

She also picked up nine wickets including 3-20 against the Sixers and maintained an economy rate of 6.79.

Meanwhile, Brisbane Heat allrounder Charli Knott has been named the WBBL|09 Young Gun after a breakout season with bat and ball.

Athapaththu was a last-minute addition to WBBL|09, brought on by the Thunder as a replacement overseas player, a move made possible because they had room in the salary cap.

She got a run first game when No.1 draft pick Marizanne Kapp was unwell and kept her spot ever since, with English quick Lauren Bell, drafted 18th overall, forced to the sidelines.

Athapaththu has long been a force at international level, with nine centuries to her name.

But the left-hander never quite managed to translate those performances into the WBBL. In 34 Big Bash innings prior to this season, she had hit just two half-centuries and averaged 18 with a strike rate of 95.

But confidence drawn from a superb year at international level – both personally and for Sri Lanka – has been key in unlocking Athapaththu’s best so far in WBBL|09.

Her twin unbeaten tons led Sri Lanka to their first ever ODI series win against New Zealand in July, before she was again the leading run scorer as her team shocked England and claimed an historic T20I series victory in September.

The backing of Thunder coach Lisa Keightley and captain Heather Knight has also given Athapaththu the conviction to stick to her natural game.

“The last year I’ve been playing really good cricket in Sri Lanka as a captain and as a team, so I’m enjoying that and I’m keeping that momentum (going),” Athapaththu told cricket.com.au earlier this month.

“Always positive and fearless – that’s my game plan every time.

“I’ve worked hard in the nets in the last six, seven months and we beat New Zealand in Sri Lanka, we beat England on their home soil.

“So as a captain and as a player, I’m feeling pretty good and confident about myself and my team so I keep continuing this form in the WBBL.

“(Lisa) always says to play my natural game and play like a leader because I’m the Sri Lankan skipper … I love that responsibility because when I was playing for Sri Lanka, I always have responsibility – the whole batting line-up depends on my shoulders – so I love that energy.”

(cricket.com.au)

Sports

SLC increases player fees

Published

1 week ago

May 10, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is pleased to announce that player fees for all categories of Sri Lanka’s international players have been increased, with immediate effect.
Accordingly, 41 players will be offered new contracts under six categories, namely, A1, A2, B2, C1, C2, and ‘A’ Team.

The Test Match Fees is merit based
Under the latest raise, match fees for the Test format have been increased by 100 percent, while payments will be made on merit basis.

There will be different payment structures for a test match ‘won’, ‘drawn’ or ‘lost.’

ODI and T20I Match Fees
In the meantime, match fees for both ODI and T20I have been raised by 25 percent.

ICC rankers to be recognized
Sri Lanka Cricket also decided to recognize the players who become top-ranked in the ICC Player Rankings.

Accordingly, a player will be financially rewarded with a one-time payment if they become the ‘Best Batsman, Best Bowler, or Best All-Rounder based on ICC rankings, covering all formats.

In the meantime, if a player attains a ranking between 10th and 2nd place in the ICC rankings in the aforesaid categories, such players will also be recognized with a one-time payment.

Daily allowance and per diems
Additionally, daily allowances and per diems for all contracted players have been enhanced to provide better support during national team’s inbound and outbound engagements.

A decision by the SLC Executive Committee
This decision by Sri Lanka Cricket’s Executive Committee, headed by Mr. Shammi Silva, the President of the SLC, reflects the SLC’s commitment to supporting and valuing our national players equally across all formats.

The contracted players :
Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Lahiru Kumara, Nishan Madushka, Matheesha Pathirana, Kusal Janith Perera, Vishwa Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Pramod Madushan and Janith Liyanage

Akila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Nuwan Thushara, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dushan Hemantha, Lasith Embuldeniya, Binura Fernando, Shevon Daniel, Niroshan Dickwella, Ashen Bandara, Oshada Fernando and Avishka Fernando

Sports

SL squad for ICC T20 WC announced

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

editor

The Sri Lankan squad for the ICC T20 World Cup has been announced.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be held in the West Indies and USA from June 01 – 29.

News

Fmr. Netball captain faces doping charges!

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

nipuni

It is reported that a former netball captain has failed a random doping test conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA).

It is revealed that the player in question had taken Anabolic steroids.

Test results were issued to the Doping Control Laboratory in Qatar yesterday morning (May 08), and it has been confirmed that the athlete’s samples contained traces of this banned stimulant.

Speaking to the media, head of SLADA – Dr. Shiromi Pilapitiya has said that a probe is being conducted in this regard, and a statement will be issued today (May 09).

If the athlete is found guilty in the probe, she could face a ban from one to 04 years, reports say.