Then her phone rang with the news that would turn the 27-year-old Victorian spinner's world upside down.

Forget playing club cricket this weekend in front of your nan and your parents. Australia needs you, Molly.

So Strano packed her bags and joined the national team for their Twenty20 World Cup defence on home soil - before long she was at the top of her mark ready to bowl the first ball of the tournament.

Now she is set to play a key role as Australia look to reignite their Twenty20 World Cup campaign against Bangladesh at Manuka Oval on Thursday night.

"Last Friday night I was playing in front of almost 14,000, and the following Saturday I was meant to be playing in front of probably just my nan and my parents," Strano said.

"It's funny how things can change but it has been awesome to feel that support. Even your social media blows up after games with people getting around you.

MORE CRICKET

"Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would be here two weeks ago.

"It's funny how your life can turn around and be flipped on its head, but it's been absolutely awesome so far."

So, about that overseas trip? It's still on the radar, but one could forgive Strano if she doesn't worry too much about sorting out the minor details over the next fortnight.

"I'm flying into Vegas, just to have a little gentle start," Strano laughed.

"I'm doing a cricket [professional development conference] over there in Manhattan. I'm doing a three-day conference around sports leadership and learning from different codes around the world.

"I was pretty excited about it, and I'm still in the midst of planning."

For now that can wait. Because more pressing for Strano is the chance to help Australia advance to the finals.

An indifferent start brought a loss to India and a nail-biting win over Sri Lanka and sparked concerns about the form of the world's best.

But Strano is confident "the shackles are off" as the host nation hunts consecutive titles.

"You've got to go out there and play some fearless cricket, because you can't leave any stone unturned when you have to win all of your round matches to progress," Strano said.

"It means we can come out all guns blazing, it frees you up a little bit.

"Hopefully we can get a bit of momentum rolling now, which is important in competitions like this.

"Hopefully we put a really good performance out against Bangladesh, and then we've got New Zealand in Melbourne which will be another huge test."

TWENTY20 WORLD CUP

Thursday: Australia v Bangladesh at Manuka Oval, 7pm. Tickets from Ticketek.

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Erin Burns, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham.

Bangladesh squad: Salma Khatun (c), Rumana Ahmed (vc), Jahanara Alam, Shamima Sultana, Murshida Khatun, Ayesha Rahman, Nigar Sultana, Sanjida Islam, Khadija-Tul-Kubra, Panna Ghosh, Fargana Haque, Nahida Akter, Fahima Khatun, Ritu Moni and Sobhana Mostary.