The Barbados Royals, reigning champions of the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), have bolstered their squad for the 2024 season with the acquisition of Sri Lankan superstar Chamari Athapaththu. The Royals have also retained key players from their title-winning campaign, including all-rounder Hayley Matthews and legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington.
Athapaththu, a prolific batter and offspinner, brings a wealth of experience to the Royals. In 12 T20Is this year, she has amassed 371 runs, including a century against Scotland, and claimed 13 wickets. Her all-around abilities will be a valuable asset to the Royals' lineup.
Matthews, who captained the Royals to victory last season, was a standout performer. She finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 191 runs at a strike rate of 132.63 and was also the joint third-highest wicket-taker with seven. Her match-winning 82-run knock and two wickets in the final against the Guyana Amazon Warriors were crucial in securing the title.
Wellington, meanwhile, was the second-highest wicket-taker in 2023 with eight scalps in five games at an impressive economy rate of 4.80. Her legspin will be a key weapon for the Royals in the upcoming season.
In addition to Athapaththu, Matthews, and Wellington, the Royals have retained Laura Harris, Georgia Redmayne, Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, and Qiana Joseph from their 2023 squad. These players provide a solid foundation for the team, with a mix of experience and emerging talent.
The Royals still have six spots to fill, which will be determined through the WCPL draft later in July. The team will be aiming to defend their title and continue their dominance in the tournament.
The WCPL 2024 will be held in Trinidad from August 21 to 29, with all seven games taking place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The Royals will face off against the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the tournament.
Tags: #WCPL, #BarbadosRoyals, #ChamariAthapaththu, #HayleyMatthews, #AmandaJadeWellington
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