Carey-ing the responsibility of replacement

Two games into the Women's Premier League season, Nicola Carey's tournament is shaping up well. In the opening game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, she blasted a 29-ball 40 and took two wickets with a catch. An evening later against Delhi Capitals, she scored a 12-ball 21, took three wickets, and held three catches in Mumbai Indians' win.

This came after a rough start, conceding three boundaries and a six in her first over to Grace Harris. "I certainly had to tweak something from the other night," Carey said. "I bowled into the wicket a bit more, which is literally what I was thinking and I guess I got a little bit lucky."

Despite her impact, she is aware she may sit out MI's next game. "I'm hoping Hayley [Matthews] gets better because I know it's great for our team," she said graciously.

Carey is in the XI because Matthews is recovering from a shoulder niggle. Once Matthews recovers, Carey will likely make way. Retaining Nat Sciver-Brunt and Matthews, and buying back Amelia Kerr and Shabnim Ismail, made it clear MI would stick with their core overseas players.

For Carey, this role is familiar. Since her 2018 debut, the 32-year-old Australian allrounder has played only 50 internationals, often waiting on the bench. "If you look at the other overseas players we've got in this line-up, they're world-class players," she admitted. "So, I was under no illusions."

Her approach is pragmatic: "I just prepare how I would if I was to go into a game anyway. That's just the nature of these sorts of competitions. I've spent plenty of time on the sidelines. If you're lucky enough to get on the field, it's a lot of fun."

Matthews' absence has pushed Kerr to open, where she's faced early challenges. Carey, however, has effectively filled Kerr's usual number five spot. "I've been lucky enough to find my way into the team," Carey said. "But, sadly that is because Hayley has got a little niggle. It'd be good for us to get Hayley back."

Even as she hopes for the team's strongest XI, Carey is ensuring MI doesn't fret during a key player's absence.