The Hobart Hurricanes defeated the Sydney Thunder by 31 runs in the WBBL thanks to Nicola Carey’s move up the order and some clutch bowling from Heather Graham.

At the newly renamed Ninja Stadium, the Hurricanes got off to a solid start to the season on Monday night, defeating Sydney for the fifth time in a row. Batting at No. 3, Carey made the highest score of 52 from 38 deliveries, including seven boundaries.

“Over the past few years, I’ve played various roles with the bat. The all-rounder told Fox Cricket she was shocked when her coaches recommended that she bat at number three. “It’s good to get a little more time out in the middle,” she said. “I’m not going to clear the rope so that it might look slightly different.”

Carey also had a significant impact with the ball, dismissing Anika Learoyd, Thunder’s second-leading scorer (29).

The Thunder’s 21-year-old captain, Phoebe Litchfield, scored 51 and looked on pace to lead the team home after Learoyd and Litchfield had a 52-run combination.

However, Lizelle Lee’s quick work off Graham was enough to stump Litchfield in the fourteenth over. Create a betpro account and see all highlights  about cricket.

After Hurricanes lost the bat flip and were brought in, Lee left in the second over, and Carey had to calm the ship.

She was out soon after but came alive in the two-over power burst, smashing four boundaries to put the Hurricanes at 92 for 2.

Samantha Bates and Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu tightened the screws after her departure, causing a 4-for-12 collapse.

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Molly Strano trapped Athapaththu’s leg before wicket on the first ball, giving Sydney’s pursuit the worst possible start.

They can exact revenge when the Thunder play the Hurricanes at North Sydney Oval on Thursday night.