New Zealand cricket great Sophie Devine has announced that she will retire from the One-Day International format after the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup later this year. Now 35, Devine has represented the New Zealand national team in 298 international games. She rose to becomes the team’s permanent captain in 2020, and has since led the team to new heights, including claiming a bronze medal win at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 and a maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup victory last year.
Widely regarded as one of the top allrounders in women’s cricket of the current era, Devine has racked up 7,421 runs, including eight ODI centuries and one T20I century. She has also scalped 226 wickets throughout her international career.
Devine will lead the White Ferns at the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, which starts from September 30. The New Zealand cricket board said that a decision on Devine’s successor will be made ahead of the New Zealand home summer.
Devine to sign ‘casual playing agreement’
Devine will be signing a “casual playing agreement” with the national board for the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile the names of the 17 centrally-contracted national team players will be announced on Tuesday.
“It feels like the right time for me to start stepping away,” Devine was quoted as saying by New Zealand cricket board’s website. “I feel very fortunate to have NZC’s support in finding a solution that means I can still give to the White Ferns. 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 spoke about how Devine’s casual playing agreement would work out.
“Sophie’s given nearly 20 years of service to the White Ferns and NZC is fully supportive of her quest to find more balance at this stage in her career,” said Green. “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.”
NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink also praised Devine.
Story continues below this ad
“Sophie has been an extraordinary leader and ambassador for the White Ferns,” he said. “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 allrounders and her commitment to nurturing the next generation makes this a positive step for both her and the White Ferns.”
