Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey is confident the country has the depth to fill WBBL spots if imports are not allowed

Strict international border controls that remain due to the COVID-19 pandemic have cast doubts on whether overseas players will feature in the upcoming Big Bash seasons.

A WOMEN’S Big Bash without imports would be a “huge loss” but Nicola Carey is confident there is enough depth in the Australian ranks to ensure a strong competition.

However the national all-rounder concedes the two Melbourne and Sydney-based franchises could find it more difficult filling squads.

The viability of overseas players featuring in both the BBL and WBBL this summer remains in doubt due to the strict international border restrictions still in place.

Nicola Carey, left, celebrates a WBBL victory with Hurricanes teammate and import Chloe Tryon last season. Overseas players are not guaranteed to feature this summer. Picture. PHIL HILLYARD

Carey, who was part of Australia’s triumphant T20 World Cup victory over India in March, remains hopeful the league will still have its star international power — and at worst could see an influx of players from neighbouring New Zealand, which has also been successful in limiting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“That would be an interesting one, obviously they add a lot of class to the competition when you get some of the world’s best players coming down to play in this competition,” Carey said.

“It would be a huge loss if we couldn’t get them over here but maybe we could get some of the Kiwi girls over given they are lifting their restrictions.

“I’m sure we would be able to cover it, it might be difficult for perhaps the Sydney teams and Melbourne teams having two of them and only one state squad, that would be interesting, but I’m sure we would make it work.”

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Nicola Carey in action in the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup final against India. Picture: MARK STEWART

Carey, who made the switch from NSW to join Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes last season, will resume pre-season next week with the Tigers.

The 26-year-old is itching to get back into the nets and begin preparations for another big season, which culminates with the 50-over World Cup tournament in New Zealand in February.

“I am looking forward to getting back into things, I felt we are probably one of the last states to get back into it, we don’t go back until Monday.

“We have a pretty new group down here in Tas as well so I am excited to get in there on Monday and get started and actually train with other people as opposed to doing my own thing.

“I haven’t had a proper pre-season in probably a couple of years now, so it is a good opportunity to stay in the one environment and have a solid prep on whatever it is I want to work on skill wise.”

Nicola Carey in action for the Hurricanes. Picture: AAP