Nicola Carey’s decision to take Tasmanian contract over Australian one proving to be a masterstroke

One player’s decision to take a Tasmanian contract over an Australian one in the hopes of playing more cricket is proving to be a masterstroke.

Tasmanian Tigers star Nicola Carey elected to take up a state contract over an Australian contract offer following a tough few years in the national line-up. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Choosing to take a state cricket contract over a national one is a decision that continues to reap the rewards for Tasmanian Tigers star Nicola Carey.

A longtime member of the Australian national set-up, Carey found herself in and out of the side before making what would have no doubt been a difficult decision ahead of the season to step back from international duties.

Nicola Carey posted a WNCL career-best score in Tuesday’s win over South Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

The opportunity to play consistent cricket continues to look more and more like a masterstroke for the all-rounder though following a career-best knock in Tuesday’s win over South Australia.

Carey top scored with 113 runs from 125 balls, just days after making a matchwinning 40 for North Hobart in the CTPL T20 grand final.

While continued strong performances for Tasmania may see selectors call for her return to the national line-up, Tigers captain Elyse Villani believes it’s not something she is focusing on.

“I don’t know if she (Carey) is trying to get her name up in lights (for Australian duties) but I know she is really passionate about the Tigers group and wants to do well,” Villani said.

“She loves being a part of this group and she is always striving to get better as a player.

“I think it’s more about if it happens, it happens. She knows that’s something she can’t control but what she can control is looking to get better as a player everyday out here in this environment.

“I know that she is really enjoying playing consistent cricket and having the opportunity to actually play cricket and keep improving her game.”

After securing a 112-run bonus point win over the Scorpions in Tuesday’s grand final rematch, the two sides will once again clash at Blundstone Arena on Thursday.

Jude Coleman new Tasmanian Tigers women's head coach. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

And while Tasmanian coach Jude Coleman was pleased with their return to 50-over cricket after a disappointing WBBL campaign for the Hobart Hurricanes, she was hopeful of a few more boundaries in Thursday’s rematch.

“You never know what you are going to get coming out of the Big Bash with just the change of intensity of a 50 over match from a T20, but I couldn’t be happier with the girls’ performance yesterday (Tuesday),” Coleman said.

“There was probably a middle period between the 31st over and 43rd before we got a boundary so potentially look at some options there but it’s hard to pick apart a win like that.”

The Tigers and Scorpions clash begins at 10am.