Big-hitting Chamari Atapattu roped in by Yorkshire for Women’s Super League

Sri Lanka’s Chamari Atapattu recently made headlines for scoring an unbeaten century in a group game against Australia. Though Australia eventually won the game, Atapattu was adjudged the Man of the Match award for a fun-filled innings at Bristol last month.

Atapattu’s heroics gave her recognition

The knock put the Sri Lankan batswoman on the global map and now she had bagged a contract for Yorkshire to play in the forthcoming Women’s Super League. The left-hander replaces Australian opener Beth Mooney, who picked up an injury just after the conclusion of the Women’s World Cup. Her knock was the highest score by a Sri Lanka batter in WODI and the second highest in the history of the Women’s World Cup.

The second season of the WSL will commence on August 10. It will be a 6-team event in which Southern Vipers are the defending champions, who will take on Western Storm at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

Lots to learn for the left-hander at Yorkshire

At Yorkshire Diamonds, Atapattu will learn a great deal as she will play alongside Jenny Gunn, Katherine Brunt and Lauren Winfield, all of whom were a part of the World Cup winning campaign recently for England.

Atapattu also bowls military medium pace which can be handy for the Diamonds. In 66 games for Sri Lanka in the 50-over format, the 27-year old has 1986 runs at 30.55 with three centuries to her name. With the ball, she has 13 sticks at 47 with an economy rate of 5.25.

The Sri Lanka’s record in the shortest format isn’t too appealing but she can improve upon those numbers as her career progresses. In 58 games, she has 1001 runs at 18.20 and a strike rate of 91.41. With the ball, she has 8 wickets at 31.37 at an economy rate of just a shade below 6 runs an over. She will be the first cricketer from her country to feature in the Women’s Super League next month.