Cricket

Sydney Thunder has secured the services of Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu for the next three seasons, making her the first player to sign a multi-year contract under the WBBL's new rules. Athapaththu, who played for Thunder last season as an undrafted player, impressed with her all-round abilities, finishing as the Player of the Tournament.Athapaththu's signing is a significant coup for Thunder, who believe she can help them challenge for their first WBBL title. The 33-year-old is one of the most experienced and successful players in women's cricket, having captained Sri Lanka to the 2022 Asia Cup title. She is also a prolific run-scorer and a dangerous bowler, making her a valuable asset to any team."Committing to Sydney Thunder for the next three seasons was an easy decision because I believe in the vision of this club, and I want to be part of its future success," Athapaththu said. "There's so much to love about my Sydney Thunder family. My team-mates are not just colleagues; they are friends who push each other to be better every day, [which] is important to me. Western Sydney is the heart and soul of Sydney Thunder and representing such a diverse and vibrant community is a privilege to have. It's been an incredible journey so far, and I'm so excited for what's ahead."Thunder general manager Trent Copeland is delighted to have secured Athapaththu's services for the long term. "Chamari is obviously an exceptional cricket player, but she is also an exceptional human being who is team first and fan first," Copeland said. "We know other teams were interested in signing her, but we made every effort to ensure she came back. To see the way she embraced and engaged with our members and fans last summer was something pretty special and on the field she had one of the WBBL's great seasons."Athapaththu has had stints in the WBBL previously with Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers. Last season, after not being selected in the draft, she was added to the Thunder squad as cover for their three overseas players. She quickly became a key player for Thunder, scoring 552 runs at an average of 42.46 and taking nine wickets.Thunder open their 2024-25 campaign against Hobart Hurricanes on October 28. With Athapaththu in their ranks, they will be confident of making a strong challenge for the title.

Tom Curran, the dynamic English all-rounder, has inked a two-year deal with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL). This commitment ensures his presence for the entire duration of the tournament, marking a significant acquisition for the Stars.Curran's previous BBL experience includes four seasons with the Sydney Sixers. However, his 2023-24 campaign was marred by controversy when he received a four-match suspension for intimidating an umpire. A subsequent knee injury prematurely ended his tournament.Despite these setbacks, Curran's impressive BBL record remains intact. In 36 matches, he has claimed 51 wickets at an exceptional average of 19.76 and an economical rate of 8.25. His batting prowess is equally noteworthy, with 359 runs scored at a blistering strike rate of 143.60.Curran's signing falls under the BBL's new multi-year contract option, which allows clubs to secure one overseas player before the draft. Players joining under this agreement are obligated to remain for the entire tournament, including finals, from the 2025-26 season onwards. Curran, however, will adhere to this requirement for both years of his contract.Sam Billings holds the distinction of being the first player to sign a multi-year deal in the BBL, having joined the Sydney Thunder. Curran expressed his excitement about joining the Stars, particularly the prospect of playing at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). He emphasized his desire to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the team's success.In an interview with the Stars, Curran revealed that Glenn Maxwell played a pivotal role in his decision to join the club. The pair had previously shared a dressing room at Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Curran also praised the coaching expertise of Peter Moores, who will lead the Stars in the upcoming season.With Maxwell stepping down as captain, the Stars are in search of a new leader. Marcus Stoinis has expressed his interest in the role. The Stars hold the first pick in the overseas draft, scheduled for early September, which will further bolster their squad.

England wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings has become the first player to sign a multi-year contract in the Big Bash League (BBL), committing to the Sydney Thunder for the next three seasons. This move is a significant step for the BBL, as it aims to retain top players amidst competition from rival T20 leagues.Billings, who previously played for the Thunder in 2020-21 and 2021-22, has been a key player for England in recent years. He brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the Thunder, who are looking to rebuild after a disappointing season last year.Under the new multi-year contract option, players are required to commit to the entire BBL season, including the finals, from the 2025-26 season onwards. Billings has gone a step further and will be available throughout next season's edition as well."I love Sydney and in particular Western Sydney and the chance to come back to a family club that is so connected to their members and fans and the people from the area was too good an opportunity to ignore," Billings said.The BBL faces significant competition from the SA20 and ILT20 leagues, which overlap with its schedule. The new multi-year contract option is an attempt to secure players for the duration of the tournament by offering them security."The BBL is in such a great place these days, it's well run, well supported and definitely the best tournament in the world staged at that time of the year. That's why I have committed long term and to be here right until the end of the tournament each year," Billings added.The Thunder are excited to have Billings on board, as they look to improve on their performance last season."The beauty of bringing a player the calibre of Sam Billings to the club is not just the elite skillset he brings to every facet of the game but also his leadership on and off the field," said Thunder general manager Trent Copeland.Billings is the second Thunder signing confirmed in two days, following the acquisition of highly-rated young batter Sam Konstas. The Thunder are building a strong squad under new coach Trevor Bayliss, who recently signed a one-year extension.