When Athapaththu landed in Australia in early October, she had a point to prove. Fast forward to the present, and the Sri Lankan cricket sensation has not only proven her worth but has been crowned the Weber WBBL|09 Player of the Tournament.
The Sydney Thunder import secured the prestigious accolade in a closely contested race, edging out Adelaide Strikers opener Katie Mack by a single vote. The award was determined through a 3-2-1 voting system by standing umpires in each match.
Athapaththu’s stellar performance in the regular season speaks volumes about her capabilities. She claimed the second spot on the runs table with 511 runs at an impressive average of 42.58, boasting a strike rate of 129.69. This remarkable comeback comes after being overlooked in the inaugural overseas player draft, facing similar snubs in the WPL and The Hundred.
In addition to her batting prowess, Athapaththu showcased her versatility by taking nine wickets, including an impressive 3-20 against the Sixers, while maintaining an economical rate of 6.79.
A last-minute addition to WBBL|09, Athapaththu joined the Thunder as a replacement overseas player due to available room in the salary cap. Her opportunity arose when No.1 draft pick Marizanne Kapp fell ill in the first game, and Athapaththu has since held her spot, leaving English quick Lauren Bell on the sidelines.
Although a dominant force at the international level with nine centuries to her name, Athapaththu had struggled to replicate her success in the WBBL, managing just two half-centuries in 34 Big Bash innings prior to this season, with an average of 18 and a strike rate of 95.
However, a confidence boost from a remarkable year at the international level, both individually and for Sri Lanka, has played a crucial role in unlocking Athapaththu’s exceptional performance in WBBL|09.
Her impactful twin unbeaten centuries guided Sri Lanka to their first-ever ODI series win against New Zealand in July. Later, she emerged as the leading run-scorer as Sri Lanka stunned England, securing an historic T20I series victory in September.
The unwavering support from Thunder coach Lisa Keightley and captain Heather Knight has further empowered Athapaththu to adhere to her natural game, making her a standout performer in this season’s WBBL. Source: Cricket Australia
