The Hobart Hurricanes have ushered in a new leadership era ahead of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL 12), appointing experienced all-rounder Nicola Carey as captain following Elyse Villani’s retirement. Carey, a familiar face in Tasmania’s cricketing setup, will take charge of the defending champions as they prepare to build on their historic maiden WBBL title triumph last season. Heather Graham has been named vice-captain, providing the team with an experienced leadership partnership for the upcoming campaign.
Carey succeeds Villani, who signed off her WBBL career in memorable fashion by leading the Hurricanes to their first championship last season. The former skipper leaves behind a significant legacy, having guided the side through a successful campaign that established the Hobart Hurricanes among the competition’s leading teams. Carey now faces the challenge of carrying that momentum forward while developing her own leadership style and ensuring the squad remains focused on another title-winning run.
The captaincy appointment is particularly meaningful for Carey, who has spent several seasons with the Hurricanes and previously served as Villani’s vice-captain. She has featured in 147 WBBL matches throughout her career, including 88 appearances for Hobart, making her the most experienced current member of the Hurricanes squad in terms of matches played for the club. Although she acknowledged that Villani’s achievements set a high standard, Carey described her appointment as a tremendous honour and expressed gratitude for the opportunities the franchise has given her.
While Carey has not accumulated extensive captaincy experience throughout her playing career, her time alongside Villani has provided valuable insight into the responsibilities of leading a professional T20 side. Having attended team meetings and observed how her predecessor managed the group, Carey believes she is well prepared to take on the role. She intends to bring her own personality to the position while maintaining the positive team environment that has contributed to the Hurricanes’ recent success.
The defending champions possess a strong core of experienced players to support their new captain. Alongside vice-captain Graham, the squad includes explosive opener Lizelle Lee and veteran spinner Molly Strano, giving Hobart a combination of batting firepower, bowling experience and tactical knowledge. With Carey at the helm, the Hurricanes will look to maintain their competitive edge while adapting to changes within the squad and the wider WBBL landscape.
Despite entering WBBL 12 as reigning champions, Carey is keen to ensure that last season’s achievement does not become a source of unnecessary pressure. She emphasised that every team begins the new competition with zero points, making it essential for the Hurricanes to approach the tournament as a fresh challenge. Rather than relying on past success, the side will concentrate on performing consistently and earning its place among the contenders once again.
Carey also wants to encourage an attacking and proactive brand of cricket, giving her teammates the freedom to express themselves and trust their instincts. With the squad possessing considerable experience in domestic and international T20 competitions, she believes her role will involve offering guidance and ideas while allowing players to make confident decisions on the field.
As the Hobart Hurricanes prepare for their WBBL 12 title defence, Carey’s appointment represents both continuity and a fresh beginning. Supported by Graham and an experienced playing group, the new skipper will aim to honour Villani’s legacy while establishing her own mark on the franchise. The Hurricanes will begin their campaign against the Melbourne Stars at Junction Oval on Thursday, with their new leadership group ready to take on the challenge of defending the championship.
Loves all things female cricket