There’s one big life lesson in Nicola Carey’s story here: just be ready. An injury to Hayley Matthews meant her getting into Mumbai Indians’ starting XI, and in her first two games, she’s impressed everyone with her batting at number five and her powerplay bowling. She was at the post-match press conference on the back of her match-winning performance against the Delhi Capitals. Excerpts..

On getting into the XI after Hayley Matthews got injured

That would be very fair to say that I wouldn’t be starting had Hayley been there. It means poor Melie (Amelia Kerr) has had to move to the top and has had to face a couple of tough spells out there. I’ve been lucky enough to find my way into the team, sadly because Hayley has a niggle. I don’t think she’s too far off. It would be nice to get Hayley back and let Melie drop down to her position where she has dominated for a number of years for this team.

On her preparations as a backup player

It’s not too hard. If you look at the other overseas players we have in this lineup, they are world class. I was under no illusions as to where I sat. They have been with Mumbai Indians for a number of years and have done an exceptional job winning two titles. I just prepare how I would going into a game. Nothing really changes in that space. Sometimes you have some last minute changes. That’s just the nature of these competitions. I have spent plenty of time on the sidelines in these situations. That sort of comes with the gig. Lucky enough to get on the field and I have enjoyed these two games. I’m also hoping Hayley gets better and that’s great for our team as well. That’s what we are here for, to play as a team.

The WPL experience

I have heard a lot in this competition. A lot of the Aussie girls love it. It’s a whole different experience and I have only been here two games and it has been wild. The crowd has been amazing. Coming over here, I wanted to soak that up. Getting to play with some of the players, like Harmanpreet Kaur. I was fortunate enough to play with her when she came over to play for the Sydney Thunder a few years back. Now I am in her backyard. It’s really cool to watch how they go about things. You are always learning different things in different tournaments, different conditions, different coaches and players. I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far and looking forward to the next few weeks.

On the learnings from the last game

I certainly had to tweak something from the other night. It was a rough start, the first over. I just had to bowl it into the wicket a little more. I got a bit lucky. I can’t tell what’s happening but a little might have happened off the wicket. You sort of learn from games. There was a bit I could take away from the last game and I was lucky I could do that.

On playing with Harmanpreet Kaur after the BBL

She’s always been pretty quiet, goes about her business. She’s still just as good. I remember her shot over extra cover at Sydney Thunder that stuck with me. I’ve seen her doing it a couple of times already in this tournament. She’s just very cool, calm and collected. She’s lifted the World Cup. She’s a quality player and has been one for a number of years. She’s done an amazing job. She knows what she needs to do and gets it done. She doesn’t act like a celebrity around the group. She is a very down to earth person.