Carey returns to lead winless Hurricanes against the Strikers at Bellerive Oval

Nicola Carey returns as captain for Tuesday night's Women's Big Bash League match in Hobart, where the defending champions are still looking for their first win of the season

Carey has been named in a 13-player Hobart Hurricanes squad for the meeting with Adelaide Strikers at Bellerive Oval, having missed Saturday's game in Brisbane after the birth of her son. Ella Hayward and Ira Aery make way for her return.

The Hurricanes won the title last season but have lost all four matches this time, most recently by four wickets to Brisbane Heat at Allan Border Field, where they were held to 116 for 9.

Adelaide arrive with an unchanged 13 and two defeats behind them, on a third consecutive game away from home.

Carey back after a week away

Heather Graham captained the Hurricanes in Brisbane while Carey was absent. The all-rounder had played every match before that, and her return restores the side's most experienced batter to the middle order.

Her last appearance was her 150th in the competition, against Melbourne Renegades at Bellerive Oval on 4 November, when she made 62 from 43 balls in a total of 154 for 7.

A last-ball no-ball at Bellerive Oval

That match turned on its final delivery. The Renegades, needing a single to win, were given it when a third-umpire review found wicketkeeper Lizelle Lee had taken the ball in front of the stumps, the no-ball handing them the game at 155 for 6 and denying Hobart a Super Over.

Sophie Molineux had earlier taken 4-22 and was named player of the match, with Hayley Matthews making 59 from 44 balls. Graham finished with 3-24.

Sent in and shut down in Brisbane

Saturday's defeat was blunter. Sent in at Allan Border Field, the Hurricanes were 13 for 3 at the end of the powerplay after Lily Bassingthwaighte removed Lee and Chamari Athapaththu in her opening over, and she finished with 3-16.

Rachel Trenaman top-scored with 25 and Maddy Green made 24. Brisbane were reduced to 81 for 5 in the 13th over before Annie O'Neil, dropped on five by debutant Kate Pelle, finished unbeaten on 32 to win it in the 19th.

The season's earlier losses were by 18 runs to Melbourne Stars and by 87 runs to Sydney Sixers, the second of them after Hobart were bowled out for 109 in 17.4 overs.

Strikers chasing a second win

Adelaide began with 185 for 2 and a 21-run win over Melbourne Stars at Karen Rolton Oval, Laura Wolvaardt and Maia Bouchier putting on 54 for the first wicket, Amanda-Jade Wellington taking three wickets and Sophie Ecclestone two.

"To have that really solid powerplay and an opening partnership between Maia and Laura sort of set the tone," head coach Luke Williams said after that match. "They're both so experienced and talented in the T20 format. We're very lucky to have them."

The road trip Williams was looking forward to has been less kind. Brisbane Heat's 184 for 4 proved 14 runs too many at Drummoyne Oval, and the Renegades then won by 36 runs at Junction Oval, posting 188 for 3 before Adelaide were held to 152 for 8.

Bouchier's maiden half-century for the club, off 38 balls, was the bright spot of that night. Fast bowler Darcie Brown has been ruled out of the season with a back injury.

Where the match is likely to be decided

Both of Hobart's heaviest defeats began with a powerplay collapse, and they face an attack built for that phase in Megan Schutt and Ecclestone, with Wellington's leg spin to follow.

Tahlia McGrath leads an Adelaide side that has not yet won away from Karen Rolton Oval this season, against a home team whose four defeats have come by 18 runs, 87 runs and twice by four wickets.

Carey, Athapaththu, Green, Chinelle Henry and Graham give the Hurricanes a long batting order; what they have lacked is a start.

First ball at Bellerive Oval is 7.10pm AEDT, with Hobart seeking a first win in five attempts and Adelaide a second in four.