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Better late than never for uncapped Carey

Allrounder reflects on whirlwind journey from Sydney to Chennai after late call up for World T20

Nicola Carey has grown accustomed to packing her bags in a hurry.

Last week, the Sydney Thunder allrounder was expecting to spend the next month going about her usual routine of work, university and training with the NSW Breakers squad.

That all changed in an instant when Carey picked up the phone to discover she had been called into the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad for the Women's World T20 last Thursday – one day after the Australians departed for Chennai – named as a last-minute replacement for Grace Harris, who was ruled out of the tournament after being diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Quick Single: DVT blow for Australia ahead of WT20

Two days later, the 22-year-old touched down in India.

It's not the first time Carey has received a hasty call from Australia's selectors – she was also a late addition to the squad for the 2012 World T20, called in midway through the tournament for an ill Sarah Coyte.

WATCH: Stars turn up the heat in Chennai

"Obviously I was really surprised, you get placed on standby so you prepare but you never think it's going to happen", Carey told cricket.com.au after completing her first hit out with the Southern Stars squad at MA Chidambraram Stadium on Sunday.

"So when it did I was really shocked. I work and uni and things like that I had to sort that out, but everyone has been really good so it was pretty easy to get that fixed up.

"It also happened four years ago when the girls were over in Sri Lanka, but that was midway through tournament, so it was a bit different as the girls were already into playing the games."

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An explosive left-hand batter and handy right-arm medium pacer, Carey has yet to make her debut for the Southern Stars, but is hopeful she can rise to the challenge should an opportunity present itself over the next three weeks.

Carey, a Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars contracted player, impressed in the Thunder green during the Rebel Women's Big Bash League, scoring a 36-ball 53 against the Sydney Sixers in the group stage while capturing 16 wickets for the tournament, including 4-12 against the Hobart Hurricanes.

WATCH: Carey hammers quickfire fifty

"Obviously it's really unfortunate for Grace Harris, but hopefully I can make the most of the opportunity while I'm here," she said.

"It's been nice to have a break (since the end of WBBL|01), but I've still been training back home with the NSW girls and I've been playing some grade games as well, so I should be all right. We’ll see when I get into the nets."

Fast bowler Rene Farrell was full of praise for her Sydney Thunder teammate on Sunday, labelling her one to watch.

"It's great. I play club cricket with Nic and I play with her in the WBBL and for NSW too, so it's like having a piece of home around me," Farrell said.

"She fits well into the team, it's a bit refreshing to have her around at the moment and she's pumped us up.

"She's a great allrounder and definitely one to watch in the future. Hopefully she can get a game here and start off really well."