WBBL 2024: Nicola Carey leads Hobart Hurricanes to victory over Sydney Thunder

Nicola Carey’s half-century put the Hobart Hurricanes on course for victory. victory from 31 rounds over Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League.

The Australian left-hander scored 52 off 38 balls as the Hurricanes posted 141-7 after he was sent to bat.

England opener Danny Wyatt-Hodge made 18 overs before being removed by compatriot Georgia Adams, while left-arm spinner Samantha Bates took 3-20 for the Thunder.

The visitors overcame a poor start to the chase thanks to Phoebe Lichfield’s 51 off 37 balls but collapsed again after her departure to be bowled out for 110.

All-rounder Heather Graham was picked by the Hurricanes bowlers with figures of 3-19.

After Chamari Atapattu was torched to Molly Strano off the first ball of the Thunder’s chase, they slumped to 38-4 when Chloe Tryon bowled Adams in the seventh over.

Lichfield kept them in contention as she put on 52 for the fifth wicket with Anika Leroyd, but the pair were quickly dropped and Hobart raced through the lower order to top the WBBL rankings after the first round of matches.

“It was an interesting game, we started well with the bat but then fell a little behind in the middle,” Graham said.

“But we were able to go out and get the first ball in the wicket, which is always a great feeling, and then we were able to get everyone else back except Leach.”

“It was a key wicket. It was a really good team effort tonight, everyone contributed.”