Nicola Carey has put pen to paper on a fresh two-year deal with Hobart Hurricanes, tying her to the franchise through Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12, as she sets her sights on clinching the elusive WBBL title. Carey will be seen in purple until at least the end of WBBL 12, with her re-signing another crucial piece of the puzzle for the Hurricanes.
The seasoned all-rounder first tasted WBBL triumph with the Sydney Thunder in the inaugural 2015–16 season. Since joining the Hurricanes in WBBL 05, she’s been a consistent and influential presence. Her decision to stay was unequivocal, witnessing the response to the Hurricanes’ triumph in the Men’s BBL last season has only increased Carey’s appetite for success.
“It was very simple. I’ve been here for a number of years now, I love playing for this team, this organisation, so it was a pretty easy decision when Sal came to me with another contract to extend for two years.
“You’re always trying to achieve that (success), but to be here and see how Tasmania got around it, and how exciting it was to be there at the final … It was unbelievable what the boys did. And it’d be really cool if we could replicate that and do it in our own way and bring a bit of success in the WBBL space,” as Carey expressed her decision to re-sign in Hobart.
Carey has enjoyed a remarkable tenure in the WBBL, particularly flourishing after moving to the Hobart Hurricanes in the 2019–2020 season. In WBBL 08, she solidified her reputation as a genuine all‑rounder, claiming 14 wickets at an average of 24.36, making her the team’s second‑highest wicket-taker, while contributing 169 runs at a strike rate of 115.75 in the middle order.
A highlight of that season was her 100th WBBL wicket, captured by dismissing Thunder’s Rachael Haynes, making her just the seventh woman to achieve the three-figure milestone that underlined her growing influence. The most wickets in an edition, 17, came back in 2017/18 and has had two 200+ runs season, one in the most recent 2024-25 edition (228) and one back in 2019-20 (267).
Carey’s most successful WBBL season came in 2024 when she was elevated to the crucial No. 3 batting position, a move that transformed her impact. She amassed 228 runs in 11 innings including two half-centuries. She also claimed 12 wickets in the same season. That season, she also starred in the Hurricanes’ opening match, scoring 52 off 38 balls and taking a key wicket, helping secure a 31-run win over the Thunder. Carey has played 136 WBBL, picking up 137 wickets with best bowling spell of 4/12; and also amassing 1661 runs.
The club has also welcomed England captain Natalie Sciver‑Brunt and Linsey Smith from the Renegades, replacing outgoing stars such as Chloe Tryon and Suzie Bates. Twice in the past three seasons the Hurricanes have broken into the top four, only to stumble at the first hurdle, still searching for their first knockout win in WBBL history.
Lizelle Lee’s transition to local player opened the door for the Hurricanes to recruit Natalie Sciver-Brunt, strengthening an already impressive squad for WBBL 11. Sciver-Brunt, known for her dominance in domestic competitions, played a pivotal role in Mumbai Indians’ second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title earlier this year, amassing 523 runs and claiming 12 wickets in just 10 games.
Carey expressed, “We made some really good inroads last year and we were tracking nicely, and it was disappointing to lose that first final. But I think we’re building from that. We’ve got new people on board and we’re absolutely looking to go further this year. I’m really excited about the group that we’re going to pull together this year and hopefully we can go a bit further.”
The Hurricanes’ commitment to blending seasoned campaigners with high-impact internationals shows their intent to convert potential into silverware. If form and morale hold, WBBL 11 could be the year they finally break through.
Hobart Hurricanes Squad for WBBL 11 so far:
Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Lauren Smith, Linsey Smith, Molly Strano, Elyse Villani, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Ins: Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Linsey Smith
Outs: Chloe Tryon, Suzie Bates
Off contract: Zoe Cooke, Tabatha Saville, Amy Smith, Rachel Trenaman, Callie Wilson, Kathryn Bryce
