Since moving from Victoria to Tasmania at the beginning of the 2021/22 season, the name Molly Strano has been etched into the history of Tasmanian cricket.
After a distinguished Tasmanian career that featured three Women’s National Cricket League titles, over 65 wickets, and plenty of memorable moments, Strano leaves Tasmania knowing that she has changed the game in our state.
Arriving in the state to work with former Tasmanian Tigers Head Coach and current High Performance General Manager, Salliann Beams, along with former Assistant Coach Dan Marsh, Strano immediately became one of Tasmania’s leading strike bowlers.
Having played for Australia before moving to Tasmania, with a unique spin bowling skillset and significant presence in the locker room, Strano immediately made a difference in the Tigers program.
Whether taking the new ball for skipper Elyse Villani or tying down an end during the toughest overs of a match, her enthusiasm for the game never wavered, and her commitment to growing the game in Tasmania was clearly evident.
When Tasmania brought its first WNCL title home in 2021-22, Strano would take 3-39 in the Final leading the way as the Tigers made history at Ninja Stadium.
The Tigers' second title would follow one year later, as she took two crucial wickets in a night that all cricket fans would remember as one of the most incredible finishes to a game of cricket.
Before their third straight final win at Ninja Stadium, history was made for a third time as Tasmania became only the second team to win the Ruth Preddy Cup three times in a row – Strano again leading the way, this time off the field.
Her top score of 51* not out, as she guided Tasmania home with Amy Smith in a run-chase against their two-time final opponents South Australia would be high on her accomplishments in the time she spent out in the middle of Ninja Stadium.
While her performances on the field were memorable, with 66 wickets from 44 games with best figures of 5-30 in Tasmanian colours, what she brought to the program will have a lasting impact for the Tasmanian Tigers.
Her infectious energy at training sessions, along with the knowledge of the game she imparted to her younger teammates made a massive difference to Tasmanian cricket.
Cricket Tasmania would like to wish Molly Strano good luck for the next chapter in her career and we can’t wait to see you back in Purple next summer.