Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey’s maiden century lifts Tasmania to 20-run victory
The best performance of Nicola Carey’s career has given Tasmania a dream start to its WNCL campaign, holding off a spirited ACT fightback in Canberra
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A MAIDEN domestic century to Nicole Carey has delivered Tasmania the perfect start to its WNCL campaign in Canberra.
Australian all-rounder Carey entered the clash against the ACT with a previous highest score of 65 but the best knock of her career paved the way for the 20-run win.
The Tigers had bolstered their batting stocks in the off season by signing former Kiwi Rachel Priest, Heather Graham (West Australia) and Naomi Stalenberg from NSW, but while that trio could only manage 30 between them on their debuts Carey picked up the slack.
She finished with 105 from 129 balls, striking 14 boundaries in the process to provide the bulk of the visitors’ 9-227.
Corinne Hall absorbed 76 balls for her 38, but played an invaluable role in a 91-run union with Carey after the Tigers had slipped to 4-74 in the 18th over.
Tasmania’s bowlers then reduced the hosts to 5-80 in reply before a stirring fightback swung the momentum of the match.
Former Tiger Erin Osborne (54) and Madeline Penna (41) added a 90-run partnership to leave the Meteors within striking distance with 10 overs to go.
However teenager spinner Amy Smith removed Penna and when Sasha Moloney bowled Osborne in the following over it left too much for the ACT tail to do.
Carey backed up her brilliant batting performance to snare 3-39 from 10 overs, while Smith (2-27) and Belinda Vakarewa (2-45) also produced vital roles with the ball.
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