In a huge women’s cricket announcement, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine has announced she is retiring from One Day Internationals. The veteran all-rounder is set to step away from ODI cricket after the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup.
A Remarkable Career Comes Full Circle
Sophie Devine, widely regarded as a cornerstone of New Zealand women’s cricket, has been a driving force for the White Ferns for almost 20 years. Since making her debut, she has represented New Zealand in 152 ODI matches, earning respect and admiration for her aggressive batting, consistent bowling, and fearless leadership.
Her decision to retire from ODIs brings to a close a golden era, though she will remain in other forms, such as T20s.
Career Highlights: A Legacy of Achievements
ODI Matches Played: 152
Total International Runs: 7,421
ODI Centuries: 8
T20I Century: 1
Total International Wickets: 226
Sophie Devine’s role transcended mere statistics. With her captaincy, New Zealand experienced tremendous success on the global front.
Leadership That Delivered Glory
Leading from the front, Devine steered New Zealand to a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games – a defining achievement in her captaincy tenure. Her strategic genius and capacity to motivate her teammates made her one of the most admired leaders in women’s cricket.
Apart from that, she led the team to victory at the T20 World Cup, a milestone that cemented her position among the game’s legends.
Tribute by New Zealand Cricket
New Zealand Cricket showed appreciation and admiration for Devine’s remarkable career. In their public statement, the board confirmed her retirement would take effect after the Women’s World Cup to provide an opportunity for fans and teammates alike to celebrate her contribution on a worldwide stage.
What’s Next for Sophie Devine?
Though she is retiring from ODIs, Sophie Devine is likely to continue playing for the sport in the shorter forms and potentially in mentorship or coaching capacities as well in the future. Her standing in T20 cricket is also not going anywhere, and fans can expect to see her continue to mesmerize with the bat and ball.
Final Thoughts: A True Champion of the Game
Sophie Devine’s retirement from ODI cricket brings an era of New Zealand women’s cricket to a close. With dominant batting performances, match-winning bowling performances, and inspiring leadership, she has seen it all. Her legacy will motivate future generations of cricketers — in New Zealand and globally.
