Tigers win fifth straight as Strano stars

A team batting performance has helped the Tasmania Tigers claim a fifth successive Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) win, keeping them in touch with NSW at the top of the ladder.

Chasing the South Australia Scorpions' 223 for victory, the Tigers had four batters make more than 35 to cruise to a five-wicket win that also landed them a bonus point.

Captain Elyse Villani top-scored with a run-a-ball 63, while Molly Strano complemented her earlier two wickets with an unbeaten 49 that iced the game.

The Scorpions elected to make first use of the wicket after winning the toss, however lost opener Emma de Broughe early when Strano trapped her LBW.

Bridget Paterson and Josie Dooley steadied the ship and built a strong foundation for their side, but the reintroduction of Strano in the 20^th over paid off for Tasmania as Rachel Priest held onto a sharp chance offered by Patterson (37).

It kickstarted a collapse for the Scorpions who lost Dooley (27) and Courtney Webb (9) soon after to go from 1-75 to 4-85 in just four overs.

Annie O'Neil (36) and Jemma Barsby (20) provided some much-needed resistance for South Australia, however spin again proved its worth, as leggie Amy Smith removed both in quick succession.

And when Sasha Moloney claimed her second, SA became eight down.

The Scorpions appeared destined for a below-par total, but some brutal late order hitting from number nine Ellie Falconer changed the course of the match and gave them considerable momentum going into the second innings.

Falconer finished unbeaten on 50 off 35 balls and struck two massive sixes to boost South Australia's total to 8-222 from their 50 overs, setting up an intriguing run chase.

Brooke Harris continued South Australia's good form as she made a breakthrough in the first over, dismissing Rachel Priest, who was coming off a century against the ACT Meteors, for just two.

Tigers captain Villani replaced her star opener and didn’t take long to work her way into her innings, scoring with ease from the outset.

Boundaries were frequent from Villani, while Emma Manix-Geeves also appeared in ominous touch, as the Tigers raced to 1-100 from just 17 overs.

Villani brought up her 50 in only 41 deliveries and continued to tick the scoreboard along, however, was out for 63 attempting a ramp shot off Kate Peterson, to keep the Scorpions in the contest.

Peterson struck a double blow by bowling Manix-Geeves for 44 shortly after, a turning point in the game with Tasmania now with two new batters at the crease and still 90 runs required to win.

But while Naomi Stalenberg fell for just three, Corrine Hall and Strano formed a crucial partnership through the middle overs that ultimately secured victory for the Tigers.

The pair put on 45 for the fifth wicket and despite Hall being dismissed for 37 with more than 30 still required, Strano assumed the aggressor role to seal the game with 10 overs remaining.

The inventive Strano finished 49 not out from just 40 deliveries, while Moloney chipped in with 14 not out as Tasmania claimed victory by five wickets.

The win keeps Tasmania well entrenched in second place, only one point behind the NSW Breakers who claimed their own bonus point victory today over WA.