Nicola Carey doesn't feel validated by her World Cup return.
Turning down a national contract three years ago, the Australian allrounder just wanted to play more often and get better.
What followed was a "whirlwind" of domestic dominance with Tasmania and Hobart in 50 and 20-over cricket respectively that prompted her recall to the national team set-up.
The 32-year-old wasn't part of Australia's last two World Cup campaigns that both ended in semi-final upsets.
Now she's back and keen to contribute.
"To sit there and actually think about it (it is special). It wasn't on my radar, or anything I expected," she told AAP of her surprise decision in 2023.
"When I made the call I didn't have a huge goal or focus to really get back into the Aussie stuff.
