In a testament to her enduring brilliance, New Zealand’s 36-year-old legendary all-rounder Sophie Devine stands on the cusp of history. She is set to become only the second White Fern after Suzie Bates and the 10th overall, to reach 150 T20I appearances during the upcoming 4th T20I against South Africa on March 22, 2026 (Sunday) at Sky Stadium, Wellington, starting from 7:15 AM IST.
With skipper Amelia Kerr leading the home side, currently ahead 2-1 in the five-match T20I series against Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa, Devine’s milestone adds another jewel in her already glorious international career, defined by clutch performances and all-round mastery in women’s cricket’s shortest format.
Sophie Devine was rested for the recently concluded historic bilateral series against Zimbabwe. However, she has returned with a bang, as her form has been electric in this white-ball series, running from March 15 to April 4, 2026. In the 3rd T20I on March 20 at Eden Park, Auckland, she etched her name deeper into record books, becoming only the second player after Suzie Bates to surpass 3,500 T20I runs.
Ahead of that match, she needed just 32 runs; she delivered a match-winning half-century of 55* off 38 balls at number 4, chasing 150. Her knock featured 6 boundaries and a maximum, powering New Zealand to a 6-wicket win with 8 balls to spare. Awarded Player of the Match for her all-round impact, Devine has now amassed 3,523 T20I runs in 149 matches (145 innings) at an average of 28.41 and a strike rate of 120.81, including 22 half-centuries and a century.
In the ongoing series, she’s the 2nd highest run-scorer with 92 runs at an average of 46 across three innings, proving her value down the order.
Devine’s T20I journey began on October 18, 2006, against Australia in Brisbane. Nearly two decades later, her bat remains a weapon of precision and power. Her pinnacle arrived on February 10, 2020, against South Africa in the 4th T20I at Basin Reserve, Wellington, where she smashed a sensational 105 off 65 balls opening alongside Lauren Down. That innings, laced with 12 boundaries and 3 maximums, propelled New Zealand to 171/2 in 20 overs. Devine chipped in with the ball too (1-0-6-1), as South Africa crumbled to 102 in 17 overs for a 69-run victory.
Devine’s seam-up skills have claimed 125 T20I wickets in 126 innings at an average of 19.04 and economy of 6.67, including two four-wicket hauls. Her latest masterclass came in the series opener on March 15 at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui: stunning figures of 4-0-12-4 defending 191. South Africa managed just 110/7, losing by 80 runs (Amelia Kerr’s 78 off 44 earned Player of the Match).
Currently, Devine tops the series wicket charts with 6 scalps at 13.16 average over three innings, a perfect blend of experience and explosiveness.
As the White Ferns chase another series win under Amelia Kerr’s steady hand, Devine’s 150th cap at Sky Stadium isn’t just a number; it’s a celebration of resilience, skill, and the heartbeat of New Zealand women’s cricket. At 36, she’s far from fading; she’s redefining veteran excellence with the upcoming 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales (12th June to 5th July 2026) around the corner.
