Chamari Athapathu, the captain of the Sri Lankan women’s cricket team, has signed a contract with the Northern Brave team for the Super Smash, the renowned New Zealand Twenty20 cricket league’s women’s tournament.
Athapathu, known for her dynamic performances, particularly in the Australian Big Bash League, has become the second-highest scorer in the tournament, accumulating 451 runs with an average of 50 and a strike rate of 135.
As a top-ranked left-handed batsman in international cricket, Athapathu has played 220 ODIs and T20Is, amassing over 5,000 runs in both formats. With her off-spin bowling, she has also taken 68 international wickets. Athapathu’s highest score in ODIs is an impressive 178 not out.
Expressing her excitement about joining the Northern Brave team for the Super Smash tournament, Athapathu emphasized her eagerness to contribute to the team’s success. She is set to join the Northern Brave team shortly before the new year, with her first game scheduled at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on January 2.
Northern Brave’s captain, Irish player Emma Richardson, acknowledged Athapathu’s addition to the team as a significant boost to their attacking strength, citing her outstanding performances in the Women’s Big Bash League.
