Chamari crowned ICC ODI Cricketer of the year  

Sri Lanka’s star cricketer Chamari Atapattu has been named as the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year after an exceptional 2023. She is the first Sri Lankan woman to win the award. She made significant contributions with the bat and as captain, notably leading the side to a first bilateral series win over New Zealand.

Chamari showcased exceptional skills and leadership throughout the year, excelling both as a captain and a player in the ODI format.

She started the year as skipper with a 1-0 win in a rain-truncated series over Bangladesh. With the first two matches not producing a result due to rain, the final clash turned into a decider.

In a 30-over-a-side game, the skipper stroked a 60-ball 64 laced with six fours and four sixes to propel Sri Lanka to 186. With the ball, Chamari got rid of her opposite number and top-scorer Nigar Sultana to put her side in pole position for victory.

Her finest hours as a player and captain came against New Zealand, where Sri Lanka recorded their first-ever bilateral series win (2-1) over the White Ferns.

Chamari starred in both victories with a couple of fiery centuries that blew New Zealand away. Her 108 not out and unbeaten 140 came in pressure chases and on both occasions, the opener was at the crease to guide her team to victory.

Her significance in the team became even more evident during the series against England, where Sri Lanka suffered a 2-0 defeat on foreign soil, largely due to lean returns from the 33-year-old.

The left-handed batter from far off Gokarella has taken over as Sri Lanka’s leading women’s cricketer from Shashikala Siriwardene. Siriwardene was the leading women’s cricketer for more than a decade. Chamari has been signed up by several franchises in league cricket. She has also become a brand ambassador for several products over the last 12 months.