Photo Credit: Hobart Hurricanes
The Hobart Hurricanes have secured arguably the biggest coup of the off-season, signing the Women’s Big Bash League’s (WBBL) all-time leading wicket-taker, Molly Strano, on a two-year deal.
Strano – who became the first player to take 100 WBBL wickets in league history last season – is also a World Cup winner at the T20 level as a member of the Australian team that lifted the 2020 ICC T20 World Cup in front of a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground last year.
The off-spinner has a total of 104 WBBL scalps to her name at an average of 18.74, and as well as having a five-wicket haul at WBBL level, her 5-10 against New Zealand in 2017 remains the best return by an Australian cricketer – male or female – in a T20 international to date.
Strano made a highly publicised move from Victoria to the Tasmanian Tigers to further her domestic cricket aspirations, but it was no guarantee the 28-year-old would also swap from red to purple in the world’s top female T20 league.
Strano has played for the Melbourne Renegades since their inception, and in fact, the 85 WBBL fixtures she has played in thus far represent every single WBBL match the Renegades have contested.
“I made my decision to come to the Tigers a while ago now, but when it came to deciding where I was going to play my WBBL cricket it was something I had to think long and hard about, and was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make,” Strano said.
“I’ve absolutely loved my time in red – I was there from the start and over the years we went from strength-to-strength and we competed in two finals series, which is something I’m really proud of.
“Moving down to Tassie was a big decision for me, so I decided to embrace the move wholeheartedly, and play for both Tasmanian teams. I’m looking forward to throwing myself in the deep end and learn what I can from this new environment, and I’m really excited for this next chapter of my cricketing career.”
Hurricanes head coach, Salliann Beams, said the team was thrilled to secure Strano’s services in the T20 format.
“Having Molly down here in Hobart as a part of the Tigers program is obviously a huge bonus to us from a Hurricanes perspective now too.
“Molly’s ability as a cricketer, and in particular a T20 player, is well known, but not only are we excited as to what she can bring to the team on-field, but off-field as well.”
