The Hobart Hurricanes have signed 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.”
The WBBL announced its fixture list this morning.
Once again, the WBBL will be a full 59-game season, beginning on Thursday 14 October, with the final to be played in primetime following day one of the Australian Men’s Test against Afghanistan on Saturday 27 November.
A record 47 WBBL games will be broadcast nationally on television this year; almost a five-fold increase since the league’s inception just seven years ago.
The competition will be played across the country over five weeks, visiting at least 11 venues including University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston and Blundstone Arena in Hobart.
The Hurricanes will play four home games in Tasmania in total, with seven WBBL games to be scheduled across the state.
The Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars, Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat will play a block of three games at University of Tasmania Stadium on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 October, whilst the Hurricanes will also be joined by the Heat, Strikers and Sydney Sixers in Hobart, for four games across Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 November.
The Hurricanes will also play during the tournament’s opening weekend at North Sydney Oval, at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney, and Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
The WBBL will continue to monitor the public health situation throughout the summer and prioritise the health and safety of fans, players, staff and officials in all its decisions.
