New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine faced the media with remarkable poise and pride following her side’s tough 89-run defeat to Australia on 1st October 2025 in Indore at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. Devine’s message was clear: while the scoreboard didn’t favour the White Ferns, the heart, resilience, and growth shown by her squad deserved celebration just as much as victory itself.
Despite a daunting chase of 327 against the defending champions, Sophie Devine anchored New Zealand’s second innings with fighting spirit, compiling a sensational 112 off 112 balls. It was her ninth ODI century, her first against Australia at a World Cup, making her only the second New Zealand captain to reach three figures against Australia in the global showpiece.
The knock also propelled her into elite company with over 4,000 ODI runs, a feat only three other White Ferns have accomplished, with Devine also boasting 100+ ODI wickets, a distinction reserved for only the format’s most complete all-rounders.
Addressing the media with candour, Devine emphasised the vital importance of team progress and fortitude, regardless of result: “It doesn’t have to always be about winning. That’s the thing that I probably took strength from, the work the girls have done over the last six to twelve months, it’s the hard stuff that no one sees behind closed doors and every single one of this group has been slogging away, making sure that they’re fit and ready to be able to go out there and do a job like I was able to do today.”
Devine’s pride was palpable, praising how her side refused to back down even in adverse conditions, a far cry from previous struggles. “Just happy with the fight this team showed, a couple of years ago, we would have thrown the towel in pretty early. It shows the mindset of the group that we stay in the fight. I’m incredibly proud that every one of our players wants to be there and wants to be contributing throughout the full 100 overs.”
The Indore loss was a setback, but not a surrender. Devine acknowledged the White Ferns’ persistent approach, highlighting the likes of Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, and Brooke Halliday for playing to their strengths and pushing the boundaries in pursuit of excellence.
“The fight and the resilience shown just to knuckle down rather than throw our wickets, it’s something I’m really proud of, it’s about how we play this game. Yes, results are important, and we want to win, but the way that we played tonight made me really proud, and I certainly know that we can keep pushing the best teams in the world really hard.”
With six pool matches still to play and a semi-final berth firmly in sight, Devine’s leadership and selfless optimism remain central to New Zealand’s campaign. The skipper’s century in Indore was more than personal glory; it represented a rallying point for a side determined to translate character into results as the World Cup unfolds.
Sophie Devine’s post-match reflections set a powerful tone for New Zealand’s journey: focusing on growth, pride, and determination, ready to challenge the world’s best and prove their mettle on the biggest stage.
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