Chamrari Athapaththu has long been the face of Sri Lankan women’s cricket. She’s known for her aggressive stroke play at the top of the order and her ability to take games away in a handful of overs.
Athapaththu has spent the past few years moving between leagues, but says the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) has been the most influential stop in that journey, not least because she remains the only Sri Lankan cricketer to feature in the tournament.
Athapaththu said sees the league as a space that has pushed her as a batter and leader, and one that has given her knowledge she can take back to her national side. She often plays alongside Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield, who captains Sydney Thunder, and young gun Georgia Voll.
“The WBBL is a very important and memorable part of my career,” Athapaththu said. “Many leagues around the world rejected me, but the WBBL never did. Because of that, I had the opportunity to meet and play alongside some of the best players in the world.”
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Her time in Australia has given her an extended look at established systems, experienced players, and domestic depth.
“I gained valuable experience by observing how [Australian players] handle pressure, how they prepare for matches, and how they train beforehand,” she said. “These experiences have helped me significantly and played a major role in developing my game.”
Across her time in franchise cricket, Australia has offered Athapaththu one of her most consistent playing opportunities, placing her alongside a wide pool of domestic and international talent.
“The world’s best players compete there, and the Australian domestic players themselves are exceptionally skilled,” she said. “The competition level is very high.”
Her 2023 WBBL Player of the Tournament award came in a season when she adapted quickly to demands, influenced by her time in Australia.
“The players in Australia are extremely professional both on and off the field,” she said. “They maintain high discipline as cricketers.”
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“These experiences have been extremely valuable in developing my own game, and they have also allowed me to share new insights and knowledge with my Sri Lankan teammates.”
With a T20 World Cup in June, franchise leagues form part of her preparation. The varied conditions and tactical demands of the WBBL and Women’s Premier League (WPL) offer useful lead-in experience before Sri Lanka head to England.
“These two leagues offer different playing conditions, atmospheres, and player combinations, which require us to adapt to various situations,” she said. “The exposure, match intensity, and adaptability developed through these leagues will greatly support our readiness and performance on the global stage.”
Athapaththu made her international debut in 2009. Since then, she’s watched the industry flourish.
“Far more players are entering the sport compared to when I first started, and one of the key reasons is the increased visibility of women’s cricket through television and media coverage,” she said. “This exposure has attracted sponsorships, improved support structures, and generated significant public interest.”
“Leagues such as the WBBL, WPL, CPL, and The Hundred have played a major role in popularising women’s T20 cricket,” she said. “As a result, women’s cricket is now gaining recognition on par with the men’s game.”