Nicola Carey is a versatile left-handed batting allrounder from Australia who has earned her international opportunities through sheer persistence and domestic dominance. The 32-year-old from Sydney made her international debut in 2018, but found opportunities limited given the immense depth of Australian cricket. In a bold career move, she declined a Cricket Australia central contract in 2023 to focus on domestic cricket, a decision that paid rich dividends. In her first season after the decision, she plundered 696 runs in the WNCL and evolved her game with an increased array of variations with the ball and more power with the bat. Her domestic performances—including helping Tasmania to considerable success and Hobart Hurricanes to a maiden WBBL title—caught the selectors’ attention, earning her a recall to face India and West Indies in early 2026, ultimately securing a place in that year’s T20 World Cup squad. Carey’s journey is a testament to resilience and the belief that consistent domestic performances can earn international recognition.
| Bowling | |||||||||||||
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| WODIs | 28 | 25 | 929 | 669 | 21 | 3/19 | 3/19 | 31.85 | 4.32 | 44.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WT20Is | 37 | 28 | 440 | 527 | 19 | 3/15 | 3/15 | 27.73 | 7.18 | 23.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Batting & Fielding | |||||||||||||
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct |
| WODIs | 28 | 14 | 7 | 266 | 49 | 38.00 | 235 | 113.19 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 2 | 9 |
| WT20Is | 37 | 18 | 13 | 151 | 26* | 30.20 | 139 | 108.63 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 16 |
She is a left-handed batting allrounder who bowls right-arm medium pace, contributing with both bat and ball in the middle order.
In 28 WODIs, she has scored 266 runs at an average of 38.00 and has taken 21 wickets at an average of 31.85, with best bowling figures of 3 for 19.
In 38 WT20Is, she has scored 151 runs at an average of 30.20 and has taken 19 wickets at an average of 27.73, with best figures of 3 for 15.
She made her WODI debut against India on March 12, 2018, and her WT20I debut against England on March 23, 2018.
She declined a Cricket Australia central contract to focus on domestic cricket, a decision that led to a resurgence in her form and a recall to the national team.
In her first season after declining her central contract, she scored 696 runs in the WNCL, helped Tasmania to considerable success, and played a key role in Hobart Hurricanes' maiden WBBL title.
In 147 WBBL appearances, she has scored 1,847 runs at an average of 20.07 and has taken 147 wickets at an average of 23.25, with best figures of 4 for 12.
Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball, combined with her evolved game—including increased variations as a new-ball option and more power with the bat—makes her a versatile asset in the Australian lineup.
After earning a recall through her domestic performances, she secured a place in Australia's squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
