Star all-rounder Nicola Carey says a lot riding on WNCL clash with WA

Tasmania is in the box seat to reach yet another WNCL final but there’s still a lot to play out according to star Nicola Carey. Here’s what she had to say.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 12: Nicola Carey of the Tigers bats during the WNCL match between Tasmania and South Australia at Blundstone Arena, on December 12, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Tasmanian all-rounded Nicola Carey says the Tigers can win their last two match-ups of the WNCL season and go into the final undefeated and host the battle for the title on home turf.

The Tigers face Western Australia at Blundstone Arena on Thursday and Saturday before heading to Melbourne to face Victoria at CitiPower Centre on February 12 and February 14.

Carey said the team had lived up to its own expectations this summer as it chases a third consecutive title.

“To not drop a game — and obviously we had that draw not too long ago here against Queensland — we are pretty happy with how we’ve been going,” Carey said.

Nicola Carey ahead of the Tigers' WNCL clash with Western Australia at Blundstone Arena. Picture James Bresnehan

“Heading into these last games, if we can get one win we will make the final and if we get two wins we host the final, and that’s a big goal for us.”

The Tigers are on top of the WNCL ladder and Wester Australia is fourth, but Carey says WA is still a threat.

“We feel really confident. We’ve had a really solid block of training leading into these two games,” she said.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 12: Nicola Carey of the Tigers bats during the WNCL match between Tasmania and South Australia at Blundstone Arena, on December 12, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“We’ve had some good games against these guys in the past and they’ve got a really solid team.

“They’ve got some class bowlers and we saw quite a few of them dominate the Big Bash recently and they’ve been pretty solid throughout the WNCL season as well.

“They’ve got some really good top order batters as well, and someone saw [England wicketkeeper] Amy Jones training with them yesterday so that’s a really strong addition if she plays.

“They are a really solid all-round team so we are really going to have to be on to get those two wins.”

Injured all-rounder Tabatha Saville was replaced by another all-rounder Beth Lane in the Tigers’ squad of 13.

“Tabs is a big loss for us,” Carey said.

“She brings a lot of energy for our group, particularly in the field, and with the bat she’s had some really key innings for us in the middle order and built some crucial partnerships at times.

“Beth has dominated in the nets against our girls and at club level as well, so it would be really cool if she gets a game.”

Tasmanian Tigers: Elyse Villani (c), Nicola Carey, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Beth Lane , Lizelle Lee, Emma Manix-Geeves (keeper), Sasha Moloney, Clare Scott, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Lauren Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano.