In a significant announcement for world cricket, New Zealand women’s cricket team captain Sophie Devine has declared that she will retire from One Day Internationals (ODIs) after the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The tournament is set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2, 2025.
One of the finest all-rounders in women’s cricket history, Devine’s decision marks the end of a remarkable ODI career spanning nearly two decades. The announcement was made just ahead of New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) reveal of their 17-player central contracts list.
Let’s take a look at Sophie Devine’s career journey, reasons behind her retirement, and what this means for New Zealand women’s cricket going forward.
Sophie Devine’s Stellar Cricket Career: By the Numbers
At 35, Sophie Devine has built an extraordinary record across formats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Centuries | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 152 | 3990 | 8 | 107 |
| T20I | 146 | 3431 | 1 | 119 |
- ODI Batting Average: 31.66
- T20I Achievements: Known for her aggressive strokeplay, Devine has one century in T20Is.
- Bowling Prowess: Over 100 wickets in both ODIs and T20Is, making her one of the top all-rounders globally.
- Tests: Interestingly, despite such a long international career, Devine never featured in a Test match for New Zealand.
Why Is Sophie Devine Retiring from ODIs?
Speaking about her decision, Devine said, “It feels like the right time for me to start stepping away. I feel very fortunate to have NZC’s support in finding a solution that means I can still give to the WHITE FERNS.”
Here are the key reasons for her ODI retirement:
- Mental Health Prioritization: Earlier this year, Devine took a personal break from cricket to focus on her mental well-being. This decision has played a pivotal role in her reassessing long-term career goals.
- Focus on T20 Cricket: While she will retire from ODIs, Devine will still be available for T20 Internationals on a “casual playing arrangement”.
- Leadership Role for One Final Time: Devine will continue to captain the side during the World Cup, aiming to guide a new generation of players before stepping down.
- Future Balance: By moving to a flexible contract, she’s opening up opportunities for younger players in New Zealand’s central contracts list while ensuring she maintains her connection with the White Ferns squad.
Achievements as White Ferns Captain
Since being appointed permanent captain in 2020, Devine’s leadership brought several memorable moments for New Zealand cricket:
- Bronze Medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022.
- ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Victory, marking New Zealand’s first-ever T20 World Cup title in women’s cricket history.
- Groomed several youngsters who are now integral to the White Ferns’ squad.
Her presence on the field has been equally inspirational off it, especially in advocating for women’s cricket growth in New Zealand.
Support from New Zealand Cricket (NZC)
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has expressed full support for Devine’s decision:
- Liz Green, NZC’s Head of Women’s High Performance, said: “Sophie’s given nearly 20 years of service to the White Ferns. We’re pleased to reach an agreement where she can continue contributing on a case-by-case basis.”
- Scott Weenink, NZC Chief Executive, called her an “extraordinary leader and ambassador for the White Ferns.”
With her exit from ODIs, a new era for New Zealand women’s cricket begins, providing young cricketers the chance to step up on the global stage.
What’s Next for the White Ferns?
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will be Devine’s swansong in ODIs. The White Ferns start their campaign against seven-time champions Australia on October 1 in Indore, India.
This will be a highly emotional tournament for both Sophie Devine and New Zealand cricket fans, as they bid farewell to a legend of the game.
As the White Ferns eye another ICC trophy, Sophie Devine will look to sign off her ODI journey on a high note with one final big tournament in familiar subcontinental conditions.
मशहूर गुजराती फिल्ममेकर महेश जिरावाला अहमदाबाद प्लेन क्रैश के बाद लापता