“I’m not shocked, I’m stunned as a result of they did not decide me,” Athapaththu mentioned in a media interplay on Tuesday. “However these items aren’t in my management. I believe of what I can management as a result of these choices are taken by another person – some coaches or some [team] administration. I can not management these items, however what I can management is my batting, my bowling. I simply wish to do what I can do. I take these choices in good spirit and do my finest.”
Within the abroad draft forward of the WBBL, Athapaththu was ignored earlier than being drafted in as a substitute participant. She lit up the event with 552 runs – solely 5 behind the highest run-getter Beth Mooney – at 42.46 and a strike price of 127.18. She additionally returned 9 wickets at an economic system of 6.83.
“Rejection is some kind of motivation for me,” she mentioned. “It is good for me as a result of typically I can study and I wish to present what I can do. If somebody says it may well’t be completed, be the primary one to do it – that is my philosophy. I simply wish to show what I can do.”
At Warriorz, Athapaththu will face stiff competitors from captain Alyssa Healy, Danni Wyatt, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris and Sophie Ecclestone for a spot within the taking part in XI. Such was the issue of a lot final yr that even South Africa quick bowler Shabnim Ismail needed to largely sit out.
Athapaththu, who opens the batting for Sri Lanka, should jostle with Healy and Wyatt. However she is ready to bide her time and is able to bat within the center order if want be. The final time Athapaththu performed as a non-opener for Sri Lanka in T20Is was in February 2019.
“I do know Alyssa Healy is an opener, my favorite Danni Wyatt is additionally an opener, even Tahlia McGrath can open, Grace Harris opens for Brisbane Warmth [in the WBBL]. We have now to regulate, and the essential factor is the [requirements of the] workforce. If the coaches and workforce want me to, I’m completely satisfied to bat all over the place between Nos. 1-6. I can do something for my workforce, I’m at all times a workforce participant.”
Athapaththu additionally hoped Sri Lanka would organise a franchise competitors for the ladies and mentioned that such tournaments aren’t all in regards to the cash.
“These leagues are essential for all cricketers around the globe. Some folks assume these leagues are in regards to the cash. It is not like that. We will share our information and tradition with different gamers. I can share the dressing room with the world’s finest cricketers, study a lot from them and share my information – with them in addition to with our younger gamers in Sri Lanka.”
