Tasmania preview: Rapid start on the radar for Tigers

It was a case of a slow start and a strong finish for Tasmania last season as they fell agonisingly short of a shot at a fourth-straight title, but a new-look side could see a shift in the state's WNCL fortunes. 

Molly Strano (Victoria) and Heather Graham (Western Australia) have both departed, sapping international experience from the Tigers squad. 

However, Tasmania have gained an injection of youth in their pace attack, with recruits Courtney Sippel and Sara Kennedy leading the line. 

"Sippel we see as a three-phase bowler. She has great experience but probably lost a bit of confidence when she was playing up in Queensland the last couple of seasons," Tasmania coach Jude Coleman told cricket.com.au.

"We're really looking to build her confidence and remind her of how skilful she is."

Kennedy, 18, is still finishing high school in country Victoria, so she hasn't had a lot of time with the team so far, but Coleman is excited to see what she can bring.

"Her role would be taking the new ball and bowling through those middle overs as a left-arm quick," she added. 

The biggest impact could come from the final new recruit - Kathryn Bryce.

Hobart Hurricanes fans would no doubt be familiar with the work of the Scottish star, after a breakout campaign as an associate player last season.

"Kathryn Bryce is an exceptional allrounder," Coleman said. "The last couple of seasons she's had for Scotland and The Blaze over in England have been fantastic.

"She can bat anywhere really, from opening to No.7, so she'll play a big role for us." 

What Tasmania's best side looks like is still yet to be determined, with five players competing for the final two spots.

"We've got such a strong squad this year," Coleman said. "It's probably something that we've never really had the luxury of having - not necessarily the strength of the squad... but we've always had a fair few injuries at the start of the season.

"We have 15 people to select from and they're all high-quality players ... so we're not really sure what our best XI looks like."

Tasmania 2025-26 squad: Kathryn Bryce, Nicola Carey, Ava Curtis (rookie) Maisy Gibson, Ruth Johnston, Sara Kennedy, Lizelle Lee, Emma Manix-Geeves, Tabatha Saville, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Rachel Trenaman, Elyse Villani, Callie Wilson

Ins: Kathryn Bryce, Courtney Sippel (Queensland), and Sara Kennedy

Outs: Julia Cavanough, Heather Graham (Western Australia), Beth Lane, Molly Strano (Victoria)

Possible round one XI (from fit, available players): Lizelle Lee, Rachel Trenaman, Nicola Carey, Elyse Villani (c), Kathryn Bryce, Naomi Stalenberg, Emma Manix-Geeves (wk), Lauren Smith, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Courtney Sippel, Maisy Gibson   

Last year's WNCL result: Third (seven wins, five losses)

Aussie player availability: Tasmania do not have any Australian-contracted players following Heather Graham's departure. Bryce may also miss some time with T20 World Cup Qualifiers for Scotland throughout January. The other consideration is whether Rachel Trenaman makes the next step and gets a call-up for higher honours.

Inside word with head coach Jude Coleman

The pre-season

A sluggish start is something Coleman has been keen to combat, with game-time in Tasmania hard to come by in typically wet pre-seasons.

The team headed to Queensland to take on other states in practice games, while eight players got a run in the T20 Max competition.

"Getting three 50-over games under our belt is really important," she said. "It has given us a lot of information on what we need to focus on over the next couple of weeks, before round one."

Injury update

It's a relatively clean bill of health for Tassie, but there are a couple of stress-related injuries that are being monitored. 

"Callie Wilson is just returning from an asymptomic MRI at the end of last season, but she's tracking really well."

"Amy Smith is dealing a low-grade stress injury in her lower leg. We're managing her at the moment but we think she'll still be available for the majority of the season."

Player to watch

"Callie Wilson has been in our system for three or four years but has battled with injury. She can bowl between 115-120kph, so she's exciting."

Young guns

"Hayley Silver-Holmes has been around for so long but she's still so young. She's back from an elbow injury."

"We all forget how young Amy Smith is. She has been around the game since she was 14, so she's an experienced player."

Areas for improvement

"We looking to be a little bit more consistent. We had a tough start last year. We had three rounds in a row where we didn't perform at our best, but at the back-end of the season we were much better and played the kind of cricket that we were capable of."

Team to beat

"South Australia are looking strong and they play an aggressive brand of cricket.

"New South Wales just won the WNCL last year and have strengthened their side this year with Katie Mack joining their top order.

"You can never count Queensland out.

"Victoria - any team with Meg Lanning and now Molly Strano in it are going to be tough to beat."