Australian all-rounder excited to be reunited with national teammates ahead of summer start

While she has adjusted to a Tasmanian winter, Nicola Carey is itching to head north to the Brisbane warmth to rejoin Australian teammates for the first cricket action of the new season

Australian Test Captain, Tim Paine and Australian Women’s Team player, Nicola Carey as Vodafone has signed up as partners with Cricket Australia. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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SIX months after the historic World Cup victory Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey is ready to be “stuck” in a hub with her national teammates ahead of the 2020-21 season.

The buzz of 86,174 fans packed into the MCG for the final against India — a record crowd for a women’s stand-alone sporting event in the country — seems almost a lifetime ago given how the rest of the year has unfolded.

Just a week after Australia’s triumph the men played an ODI against New Zealand at an empty SCG, before the full affect of coronavirus hit.

Now after a full pre-season in Tasmania, Carey is itching to reunite with the rest of the Australian squad for next month’s series against New Zealand.

Last weekend Cricket Australia confirmed the three T20 and three ODI series would be played entirely in a Brisbane hub in what will be the first taste of cricket action in the country post COVID-19.

Nicola Carey of Australia celebrates a wicket during the Women's T20 World Cup final match between Australia and India at the MCG in Melbourne, Sunday, March 8, 2020. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge)

“We have had weekly zoom meetings catching up giving you all the details with what is happening. There is so much work that has gone on behind the scenes,” Carey said of the looming series.

“It is going to be really different but really exciting at the same time, I haven’t seen the girls since the World Cup so looking forward to being stuck with them in a hub for a few weeks.

“Our goal is we want to be playing cricket so if we have to be in a hub for a few weeks so be it.”

With the 50-over World Cup in February postponed, Carey admits the remainder of the international schedule is a bit unknown.

And while disappointed at not getting an opportunity to add another the 50-over title to the T20 one, it sets up a potential big 2021 season.

Australian Test Captain, Tim Paine and Australian Women’s Team player, Nicola Carey as Vodafone has signed up as partners with Cricket Australia. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Obviously really disappointing when they postponed the World Cup in New Zealand, but it is understandable given the climate we are in at the moment.

“I don’t know what this season looks like but I suppose it just makes the following season a really big year with I think four major tournaments.

“We can be excited about that instead.”

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