Blackwell sees Australia role for Nicola Carey in World Cup quest

Alex Blackwell has urged Australia's selectors to consider handing Nicola Carey a shock recall, as part of their bid to restock an empty World Cup trophy cabinet.

Carey has not played for Australia since knocking back a national contract in 2023, when she prioritised a pre-season at home over being a fringe player on the road. Overall she has played 27 T20Is and 23 ODIs.

Now aged 32, Carey has been one of the most consistent performers in the WBBL over the past few seasons and helped lead Hobart Hurricanes' title charge this summer.

At the same time, Australia have been knocked out in the semi-finals of the most recent T20 and ODI World Cups, leaving them without either trophy.

Australia will ramp up preparations for June's T20 World Cup in England against India next month, with just six T20s between now and then.

Former Australia captain Blackwell believed Carey should be brought in, after she was player of the final in the Women's Hundred at Lord's last year.

"If I was a selector I would ask her what her views would be and get her in the camp," Blackwell, who was inducted into Cricket NSW's Hall of Fame last week, said. "If we want to win a World Cup final in a couple of months time in England, that final will be at Lord's too.

"She's had a wonderful WBBL, I've never seen her play better. She got the new ball, it's swinging. I used to throw her the old ball and say finish them for us.

"But she's added the ability to bowl with the new ball and get it swinging. And she bats great. Left-handed, wonderful in the field. She's won lots of titles."

Asked about Blackwell's comments, Australia captain Alyssa Healy said she would welcome Carey back into the fold.

"I completely understand [her contract decision]," Healy said. "She has been super consistent since making that decision ... She has been in outstanding form. We have a thousand allrounders, but having a lefty in there wouldn't be a bad option."

Blackwell''s comments come at an interesting time given Carey would likely fill a similar role to low-on-confidence allrounder Tahlia McGrath.

McGrath is currently Australia's vice-captain and has deputised 15 times since 2022, with a decision on Healy's successor needed to be made at some point.

Ashleigh Gardner is the other primary candidate after being handed the Sydney Sixers captaincy this summer, while Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland are other youngsters leading WBBL sides.

"There are a few choices, and it's great to see Ash and Phoebe having opportunities at WBBL level. Either would be a great choice," Blackwell said. "You don't always have to pick for a decade. Short-term captaincy is an option. [Tahlia] has got what it takes to lead a side, if she can get back to her form. That's a viable option as well."