White Ferns captain Sophie Devine to retire from ODIs
Sophie Devine.
White Ferns captain Sophie Devine will retire from one day internationals after this year's Women's World Cup.
Devine will then opt for a casual playing agreement for the 2025-26 season.
The 35-year-old has acquired 298 international caps.... 152 ODI's and 146 T20I's.
She took over as captain in 2020 and led the team to a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and victory in last year's T20 World Cup.
Devine has amassed 7421 runs including eight ODI centuries and one T20I century, and has taken 226 wickets throughout her international career.
Devine said it felt like the appropriate time to retire from ODIs.
"I feel very fortunate to have NZC's support in finding a solution that means I can still give to the White Ferns," Devine said.
"It's important that everyone knows I'm focused and dedicated to giving this group everything I can before I step away.
"I'm really excited by where this young group's going and I'm looking forward to playing my part in the next six to nine months."
NZC Head of Women's High Performance Liz Green said Devine had NZC's support in full.
"We're pleased to be able to reach an agreement that means she can continue to be involved with the White Ferns on a case-by-case basis, whilst opening up the opportunity for another player to be contracted in full."
Devine will lead the team at the 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in India in October.
A decision on her successor will be made ahead of the New Zealand home summer.
The 17 centrally contracted White Ferns will be announced on Wednesday.
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Photo: Chris Symes / White Ferns coach Ben Sawyer acknowledges that Devine is different from her peers. "She is a once in a generation player and we're just very lucky that she's part of our side," Sawyer said. "Captain, bats four, bowls - can't offer too much more to a team than that and obviously her leadership off the field. So whilst disappointing she's leaving, super excited she's at least got one more World Cup with us." Sawyer worked with Devine in franchise cricket, and coached against her with Australian teams, before he joined the White Ferns in 2022. "I can say as a coach stepping into a foreign team, and coming from outside, she's made my time here absolutely amazing. "To work with her has been a real privilege and she's the heart and soul of this team. "We're going to lose a lot when she leaves. There's no papering over that crack, she's going to be a huge loss to us, but I guess this gives us a little bit of time to plan for that. 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Sophie Devine. Photo: Linda Robertson White Ferns ODI captain Sophie Devine has an end date in sight. The veteran all-rounder will retire from one-day internationals at the end of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. The 35-year-old has accepted a casual playing agreement for the 2025-26 season. Devine is one of the country's most celebrated female players. She has played 298 internationals over two formats since making her debut in October 2006. She took over the captaincy in 2020 and led the team to a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and a maiden ICC Women's T20 World Cup victory last year. The right-handed Devine is one of the most prolific all-rounders in the game. She has amassed 7421 runs, including eight ODI centuries and one T20 century, and taken 226 wickets throughout her international career. Devine said it felt like the right time to retire from ODIs. "I feel very fortunate to have New Zealand Cricket's support in finding a solution that means I can still give to the White Ferns," she said. "It's important that everyone knows I'm focused and dedicated to giving this group everything I can before I step away. "I'm really excited by where this young group's going and I'm looking forward to playing my part in the next six to nine months.' NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said Devine ''has been an extraordinary leader and ambassador for the White Ferns". ''Supporting her move to a casual playing agreement will allow her to continue contributing to the White Ferns environment. "Her legacy as one of the game's greatest all-rounders and her commitment to nurturing the next generation makes this a positive step for both her and the White Ferns.' Devine will lead the team at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup starting on September 30, and a decision on her successor will be made before the New Zealand home summer. The 17 centrally contracted White Ferns will be announced today. — APL
