Sri Lanka women’s cricket team captain, Chamari Athapaththu, has been signed as an overseas replacement player for the upcoming 2026 Women’s Big Bash League. She will be representing the Hobart Hurricanes.
The Hobart Hurricanes management stated that Chamari Athapaththu has been brought into the squad to replace English international player Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who has withdrawn from the tournament due to an injury.
The 36-year-old Sri Lankan captain—currently ranked 6th in the international T20 batting rankings—joins the Hurricanes ahead of their first match against the Melbourne Stars this Thursday. Her addition serves as a significant boost for the team. Chamari Athapaththu has previously participated in seven editions of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), playing 69 matches while representing the Perth Scorchers, Melbourne Renegades, and Sydney Thunder.
During the WBBL|09 tournament, she delivered an outstanding performance for the Sydney Thunder, scoring 552 runs at an average of 42.46—including five half-centuries—and was named the Player of the Tournament. Furthermore, she showcased her all-round capabilities by taking 9 wickets throughout the competition.
Commenting on Chamari’s arrival, Salliann Beams, Head of High Performance for the Hobart Hurricanes, described her as one of the most challenging batters in world cricket.
“Adding a player of such high quality and extensive experience as Chamari to the squad is a major win for the Hobart Hurricanes,” Beams added.
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