The Hobart Hurricanes are excited to announce the re-signing of gun allrounder, Nicola Carey, on a one-year deal.
The 29-year-old was a crucial cog in the wheel of the Hurricanes’ side during WBBL|08, which culminated in the team appearing in their first Finals campaign since WBBL|02.
After starting off the season by celebrating a win in her 100th WBBL game, Carey went on to have a stellar season, cementing her status as one of Australia’s premier genuine allrounders. She finished the season as the Hurricanes second-highest wicket-taker (14 at 24.36) and fifth-highest run-scorer (169 at a strike rate of 115.75), even though she batted the majority of the tournament in the middle order.
To add to her list of accolades for the season, Carey’s first wicket of WBBL|08 – the scalp of Thunder captain, Rachael Haynes – was also her 100th WBBL wicket, making her just the seventh woman to achieve the three-figure milestone.
Carey said she was looking forward to another season in purple.
“Last year was obviously a pretty significant season for us, being part of the Hurricanes team to make the finals for the first time in six years,” Carey said. “However, we we’re pretty keen to achieve more than just making the Finals - we think we can really push the top sides for that trophy, so that will be our aim this year.”
“Over the past two seasons we’ve welcomed quite a few new faces to the ‘Canes,” Carey continued, “but this year, it’s looking like our list will be pretty similar to what it’s looked like for the last couple, so we’re looking forward to building on that, and refining our roles in terms of what we all bring to the game in the T20 format for the best outcome for the team.”
“The Draft for the international players will potentially provide us with a couple of new faces, and then we also have [head coach] Jude [Coleman] at the helm this year, so things will look a bit different, but particularly with Jude – well, she’s come to us from the Strikers, so she knows what it takes to have the ultimately success in this tournament, so I think we have all the right ingredients to push for a higher finish this year,” Carey concluded.
Coleman added that Carey’s re-signing was a crucial signature for her side to snag in the off season.
“Nic is without a doubt one of the premier allrounders in the country, so to have her in purple again for another year is definitely a bonus for us, to have her on our side and not the opposition,” Coleman said.
“She had a pretty consistent year across both formats domestically last year,” Coleman continued, “particularly in the 50-over format where she won our Tigers’ Player of the Year. She’s also had a really consistent pre-season so far this year, and I know she’s really looking forward to getting out there and representing both the Hurricanes and the Tigers at every opportunity, so I can’t wait to see what she’s got in store for us this season.”
Carey joins Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman and Elyse Villani as players currently announced as contracted to the Hurricanes for WBBL|09.
The Hurricanes will get their WBBL|09 season underway on Friday 20 October, when they take on the Perth Scorchers at Launceston’s University of Tasmania Stadium.