Availability of Tasmanian Tigers players Elyse Villani and Molly Strano set to be talking point in build-up to WNCL final

Just days away from a third straight WNCL final, Tasmania will be hoping two star players will be fit to return for a shot at the illusive three-peat.

Tigers players Molly Strano (left) and Elyse Villani (right) will both be hoping to return for Tasmania’s WNCL final against Queensland next week. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Just days away from a third straight WNCL final, Tasmania will be hoping two star players will be fit to return for a shot at the illusive three-peat.

The Tigers are set to host the national women’s cricket league decider for the third-straight season at Bellerive Oval next Saturday – against Queensland – with the availability of two key players still yet to be confirmed.

Heather Graham will head into the final in strong form after a century against Victoria on Monday. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Captain Elyse Villani missed Wednesday’s dead-rubber loss to Victoria with a shoulder complaint while spinner Molly Strano hasn’t played since suffering a hand injury against Western Australia on February 1.

Star all-rounder Heather Graham spoke to media following the team’s return home on Thursday and while it appears Villani is almost certain to return, she wasn’t able to give any certainty around the availability of Strano.

“She (Villani) is going pretty well,” Graham said.

“It was a dead-rubber match (against Victoria) so it didn’t really matter if she played or not, so it just gives her a little extra time for recovery and to get ready for the final.

“Molly will do everything she can to play the final with us but that’s all down to the medical staff and a little out of my expertise.”

Graham was back to her best in Monday’s win over the Bushrangers – scoring a century in the seven-wicket win – before the side lost just their second game this season on Wednesday in the return match.

“We took away a few learnings from it (the loss) and some things we need to fine tune ahead of the final,” Graham said.

While they may have largely dominated the competition for the past three seasons, Wednesday’s loss was another reminder that it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Tasmania.

Tigers captain Elyse Villani is almost certain to return for the final. (Photo by Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images)

The squad has suffered long-term injuries throughout the season to Amy Smith, Rachel Trenaman and Julia Cavanough, while the group has also welcomed in fresh faces in coach Jude Coleman’s first full season in charge.

But despite any obstacle thrown in their way, Graham believes there is a reason why they’ve been able to stay ahead of an ever improving competition.

“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs as a group and a lot of changes with coaches and players coming in but everyone is so good at adapting with that sort of stuff,” Graham said.

“A lot of it comes down to the culture driven off the field and that brings the success on it so I think once you get the stuff behind closed doors right everything works out for the best.”