Chamari Athapaththu Impresses on Debut | Sydney Thunder Dominates Sydney Sixers WBBL 09|
Debut Heroics by Chamari Athapaththu
Chamari Athapaththu marked her debut for the Sydney Thunder with an exceptional performance, contributing significantly with both bat and ball as her team claimed victory in the Sydney Smash.
Batting Brilliance
Athapaththu, a late inclusion in the Thunder’s squad as an overseas player, shone while opening the batting. She scored an impressive 52 runs from just 39 deliveries, setting a strong foundation for her new club. Phoebe Litchfield also played a vital role, smashing 54 not out off 28 balls.
Thunder’s Dominant Total
Their contributions helped the Thunder post an imposing total of 190 for the loss of five wickets on a batting-friendly pitch at North Sydney Oval.
Athapaththu’s Bowling Masterclass
Chamari Athapaththu wasn’t just a force with the bat; she also showcased her bowling prowess. She took three crucial wickets, giving away just 20 runs, which played a significant role in limiting the Sixers’ score to 148, securing a convincing 42-run win.
Outstanding Performances
New Thunder captain Heather Knight delivered an all-round performance, contributing with both bat and ball. She scored 18 runs and took three wickets for 27 runs.
Sixers’ Injuries
The Sixers faced challenges due to the absence of Alyssa Healy and Mathilda Carmichael, who were sidelined due to injuries. They had to open the batting with Suzie Bates and 17-year-old Kate Pelle.
Sixers’ Struggles
Despite a strong start by Ellyse Perry (31 off 16), the Sixers struggled, losing wickets at regular intervals. Athapaththu’s brilliant bowling, along with contributions from Sammy-Jo Johnson, led to the Sixers’ downfall.
The Path Ahead
The Sixers find themselves winless in the season after two matches. Their next challenge is against the in-form Brisbane Heat.
Weber WBBL|09 Standings
Here is Women Big Bash League [ WBBL 2022-23 ] Points Table | WBBL 2023-24 Team Standings & Rankings
| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Ties | No Results | Net Run Rate (NRR) | Deductions | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Heat Women | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.4 | 0 | 4 |
| Adelaide Strikers Women | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.4 | 0 | 2 |
| Sydney Thunder Women | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.1 | 0 | 2 |
| Perth Scorchers Women | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.2 | 0 | 2 |
| Melbourne Stars Women | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -3.65 | 0 | 2 |
| Melbourne Renegades Women | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Sydney Sixers Women | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -1.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Hobart Hurricanes Women | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -4.9 | 0 | 0 |
The Sydney Thunder’s victorious start to the season positions them well on the Weber WBBL|09 standings, while the Sydney Sixers face an uphill battle.
