In a fitting tribute to her trailblazing career, New Zealand’s former skipper Sophie Devine has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List for her extraordinary services to cricket. The all-round icon, who steered her side to their maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in 2024 and a Commonwealth Games bronze in 2022, embodies leadership and grit that have elevated women’s cricket globally.
Sophie Devine’s crowning glory came in Dubai last year, where she masterminded New Zealand’s triumph over Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, a historic first for the White Ferns. Her tactical brilliance and explosive batting turned the tide, cementing her as one of the format’s greats. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 set for England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, Devine now eyes a defence of that crown, promising more magic on the big stage.
She bid farewell to ODIs after the 13th ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka (September 30 to November 2, 2025), where Harmanpreet Kaur’s India, coached by Amol Muzumdar, claimed their first senior ICC title by thrashing South Africa by 52 runs in the Navi Mumbai final at DY Patil Stadium. Devine’s swan song arrived on October 26, 2025, against England in Visakhapatnam.
Across 159 ODIs since her debut on October 22, 2006, against Australia in Brisbane, she amassed 4,279 runs in 144 innings at an average of 32.66 and strike rate of 85.01, including 9 centuries and 18 half-centuries, while snaring 111 wickets in 133 innings at 36.27 apiece and 4.59 economy.
Switching to T20Is, where her firepower truly dazzled, Devine debuted on October 18, 2006, also against Australia in Brisbane. In 151 matches, she has plundered 3,587 runs in 147 innings at 28.46 average and blistering 121.55 strike rate, featuring a century and 23 half-centuries. Her bowling prowess adds 128 wickets in 128 innings at 18.87 average and 6.67 economy, including two four-wicket hauls. These numbers underscore her all-round dominance, a rare blend that’s made her indispensable.
Beyond internationals, Devine’s franchise league exploits, from big hits in Australia to trailblazing stints in India for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and now Gujarat Giants, have inspired a worldwide generation, blending power-hitting with shrewd captaincy. As the White Ferns gear up for England 2026, her ONZM honour feels like rocket fuel. Devine isn’t just a player, she’s an emotion and the heartbeat of New Zealand cricket, ready to script yet another glorious chapter.
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