Molly Strano’s Gold Medal Net Session: Find out who made the list!

Ariarne Titmus of Australia poses with her 400-meter freestyle gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on July 26, 2021, at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. (Kyodo)==Kyodo Photo via Newscom

Over the years, we have asked our guests on the Cricket Library Podcast to share their dream net session with us. This question has produced some fascinating insights into the personalities behind those we have asked. Molly Strano is personality personified and her net session selections would make for a cracking session. Let’s find out who is invited!

Magda Szubanski (Sharon Strzelecki)

Magda Szubanski is an Australian actress, comedian, and author, best known for her roles in television shows and films such as “Kath & Kim” and “Babe.” She was born in Liverpool, England, in 1961, but her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, when she was a child.

Szubanski began her career as a writer and performer on sketch comedy shows, including “The D-Generation” and “Fast Forward.” She gained national fame for her portrayal of the character Sharon Strzelecki on the hit Australian sitcom “Kath & Kim,” which ran from 2002 to 2007.

Sharon Strzelecki is a fictional character portrayed by Australian actress Magda Szubanski in the hit Australian television series “Kath & Kim.” The character first appeared in the show’s pilot episode in 2002 and quickly became a fan favourite.

One could only imagine the fun that would be had at a net session attended by Szubanski, a magnificent selection from Strano.

Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman is a former American professional basketball player and a well-known personality in pop culture. He was born on May 13, 1961, in Trenton, New Jersey. Rodman played for various teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA), including the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers, where he won five NBA championships. Rodman was a skilled rebounder and defender, earning him the nickname “The Worm” for his tenacious style of play.

In addition to his basketball career, Rodman also had a brief foray into professional wrestling. In 1997, he joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and became a member of the New World Order (nWo) wrestling stable. He even had a match at the WCW pay-per-view event “Bash at the Beach,” where he teamed up with Hulk Hogan and Scott Hall against Lex Luger, The Giant, and “Macho Man” Randy Savage.

Despite his success on the basketball court and in the wrestling ring, Rodman has also faced personal challenges and controversies throughout his life. However, he remains a unique and iconic figure in both sports and pop culture and is a welcome addition to the Strano net session.

Ariana Titmus & Dean Boxall

Dean Boxall is an Australian swim coach who has trained several elite swimmers, including Ariana Titmus. He was born in Australia and began coaching swimming in the early 2000s. Boxall gained international recognition for his coaching when Titmus won two gold medals at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships.

Ariana Titmus, also known as “The Terminator,” is an Australian Olympic swimmer who specializes in freestyle events. She was born in Tasmania in 2000 and began swimming competitively at a young age. Under Boxall’s coaching, Titmus has become one of the world’s top swimmers. She won her first Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 400m freestyle, beating her rival Katie Ledecky in a thrilling race.

Titmus has broken several world records and won numerous medals at international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and the World Aquatics Championships. She is considered one of Australia’s brightest swimming prospects and a potential star of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Nikhil Kulkarni | Every Day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy | A Fan’s Journey The Cricket Library

What does it mean to truly love cricket? In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, host Matt Ellis sits down with author and cricket tragic Nikhil Kulkarni to explore his deeply personal book, My Summer of Cricket. From a village in North Karnataka in India to the grand stadiums of Australia, Nikhil’s journey is one that will resonate with cricket lovers everywhere. This is a story of early morning radio commentaries, lifelong devotion, and the moments that define us as fans of the game. At the heart of the book is an extraordinary pilgrimage during the 2024–25 summer, where Nikhil attended every single day of the Border–Gavaskar Trophy, travelling between the Gabba, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Sydney Cricket Ground to follow one of cricket’s greatest rivalries. In this conversation, we explore: 🏏 Growing up with cricket in India and finding a new home in Australia 🏏 The emotional pull of the Border–Gavaskar Trophy 🏏 Witnessing Sachin Tendulkar’s final Test match 🏏 The stories, people and moments that make cricket more than just a game 🏏 How cricket connects cultures, generations, and communities To close the episode, Nikhil faces “The Final Over” — six quick-fire questions to finish the innings. If you’ve ever set an alarm for a 3am Test match, followed a series ball by ball, or felt cricket shape your life, this episode is for you. About Nikhil Kulkarni: Nikhil Kulkarni is a Sydney-based tech leader, community builder, and lifelong cricket tragic who has followed the game across India and Australia for over three decades. His debut book, My Summer of Cricket, chronicles the dramatic 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, blending match-day moments and personal reflections from thirty years of fandom. https://mysummerofcricket.com/
  1. Nikhil Kulkarni | Every Day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy | A Fan’s Journey
  2. Gavin Dovey – From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket
  3. Tammy Bartaia – Bollywood Dreams
  4. Anupam Sharma – When Bollywood Meets the Baggy Green
  5. Elsa Hunter – WBBL Vibes

Molly Strano Coming Soon To The Cricket Library Podcast

Keep your eye out on the podcast feeds for our latest episode featuring Molly Strano which will land soon.

Molly shares some wonderful insights into her passion for cricket as well as reflections on her involvement in the successful Australian World Cup winning squad.

In the mean time, make sure you catch up with any of our previous episodes that you may have missed or liked so much that you want to listen again.

Nikhil Kulkarni | Every Day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy | A Fan’s Journey The Cricket Library

What does it mean to truly love cricket? In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, host Matt Ellis sits down with author and cricket tragic Nikhil Kulkarni to explore his deeply personal book, My Summer of Cricket. From a village in North Karnataka in India to the grand stadiums of Australia, Nikhil’s journey is one that will resonate with cricket lovers everywhere. This is a story of early morning radio commentaries, lifelong devotion, and the moments that define us as fans of the game. At the heart of the book is an extraordinary pilgrimage during the 2024–25 summer, where Nikhil attended every single day of the Border–Gavaskar Trophy, travelling between the Gabba, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Sydney Cricket Ground to follow one of cricket’s greatest rivalries. In this conversation, we explore: 🏏 Growing up with cricket in India and finding a new home in Australia 🏏 The emotional pull of the Border–Gavaskar Trophy 🏏 Witnessing Sachin Tendulkar’s final Test match 🏏 The stories, people and moments that make cricket more than just a game 🏏 How cricket connects cultures, generations, and communities To close the episode, Nikhil faces “The Final Over” — six quick-fire questions to finish the innings. If you’ve ever set an alarm for a 3am Test match, followed a series ball by ball, or felt cricket shape your life, this episode is for you. About Nikhil Kulkarni: Nikhil Kulkarni is a Sydney-based tech leader, community builder, and lifelong cricket tragic who has followed the game across India and Australia for over three decades. His debut book, My Summer of Cricket, chronicles the dramatic 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, blending match-day moments and personal reflections from thirty years of fandom. https://mysummerofcricket.com/
  1. Nikhil Kulkarni | Every Day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy | A Fan’s Journey
  2. Gavin Dovey – From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket
  3. Tammy Bartaia – Bollywood Dreams
  4. Anupam Sharma – When Bollywood Meets the Baggy Green
  5. Elsa Hunter – WBBL Vibes