Nicola Carey bring her star power to the Tasmanian Tigers in win over South Australia

Why Tasmanian Tiger Nicola Carey was selected for Australia’s Ashes Tour of England.

Nicola Carey celebrates after taking the wicket of Bridget Patterson during the match between the Adelaide Scorpions and Tasmania Tigers. Picture: AAP/MARK BRAKE

A HALF-century on debut by Australian star Nicola Carey boosted the Tasmanian Tigers to their first win of the WNCL season over South Australia in a one-dayer at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide.

Chasing the Scorpions’ 172 off 46 overs, the Tigers replied with 5-173 off 38, with Carey doing the bulk of the work coming in at number three.

Their first win in three games elevated the Tigers off the bottom of the ladder and relegated the South Australians to the cellar.

Suzy Bates of the Scorpions bats during the match between the Adelaide Scorpions and Tasmania Tigers at Karen Rolton Oval Tuesday January 7,2020. (Image AAP/Mark Brake)

The Scorpions elected to bat and after a steady start, Tigers leg spinner Maisy Gibson made the breakthrough when she bamboozled Tahlia McGrath (23 off 51).

Carey made her mark with the ball when she had SA’s other opener Bridget Patterson (41 off 72) caught trying to drive.

Scorpion Suzie Bates put a scare into the Tasmanians with her quick-fire 40, then Gibson and medium pacer Meg Phillips tightened the screws and reaped three wickets apiece.

Tigers opening batters Hollie Armitage and Meg Phillips scored 14 runs apiece and their departure put Carey and Emma Thompson-Flint together.

Meg Phillips of the Tigers celebrates after taking the wicket of Tegan McPharlin during the match between the Adelaide Scorpions and Tasmania Tigers at Karen Rolton Oval Tuesday January 7,2020. (Image AAP/Mark Brake)

They took the score from 2-38 to 3-119, building a match-winning partnership of 81 for the third wicket, with Carey’s game-high 64 runs coming off 91 balls, including six fours and a six.

Thompson-Flint was Tasmania’s next best, her considered 33 coming off 55 deliveries and included two boundaries.

Corinne Hall was ruthless in her knock of 23, and despite being dropped on the fourth-last ball of the match, hit the winning runs with a single to third man.

Meanwhile, Ellyse Perry scored 24 runs for Victoria in its win over Western Australia at CitiPower Centre, St. Kilda, ahead of Australia’s World Cup campaign, which gets underway against India at Sydney Showground on February 21.