Nicola Carey shines with bat and ball as Hurricanes beat the Stars twice in two days

Nicola Carey proved why she has been become a key part of the Australian squad after guiding Hobart Hurricanes to victory over Melbourne Stars with a phenomenal all-round display at the Junction Oval.

Carey took 2 for 27 with the ball including the key wickets of Lizelle Lee and Emma Inglis to help restrict the Stars to 7 for 136, before producing a clinical unbeaten 60 from 46 balls to guide the Hurricanes home after all looked lost when they fell to 5 for 73. The Hurricanes have won two from two to start the new WBBL season after winning just two games last season.

Carey got support from South African Chloe Tryon who backed up her match-winning 46 not out from 18 balls against on Saturday with a 29 not out off 18 balls. The pair came together needing 64 from 46 balls and in the end made light work of the chase, getting home with nine balls to spare.

Carey targeted Erin Osborne in the 15th over. Osborne had earlier claimed two wickets, but Carey twice lofted her over mid-off for boundaries. Tryon then launched Kristen Beams onto the hill at deep midwicket with a massive slog sweep.

Stars' youngster Tess Flintoff was thrown into the fire to bowl the 18th over and Carey thumped three more boundaries to all but seal the game.

The Stars would have been concerned having posted just 7 for 136 from their 20 overs. They had three players reach 20 but none of Lee, Inglis or Mignon du Preez could pass 25. They were unable to get away against the Hurricanes attack. Inglis took 27 balls for her 20 while Lee struck five boundaries in her 25 but scored just five runs from the other 16 balls she faced. Carey forced mistakes from both of them, Inglis was bowled swiping across the line while Lee holed out to long on.

The Stars then lost 3 for 8 in two overs to slump to 6 for 98 with 30 balls left in the innings. Annabel Sutherland and Flintoff showed composure in the late overs. They only found the boundary twice between them but some smart placement and running ensured the Stars posted something to chase but in the end, it wasn't enough as the home side start the season with two straight losses.