New Zealand’s inspirational captain, Sophie Devine, will not be part of the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka in March, as she continues to focus on her well-being. This decision comes after she previously stepped away from domestic cricket and withdrew from the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) following professional advice.
Devine had earlier taken a break midway through the Women’s Super Smash and opted out of the WPL, emphasizing her well-being. Her absence means New Zealand will be without one of their most experienced all-rounders as they gear up for their first T20I series since their historic T20 World Cup triumph in October 2024.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has thrown its full support behind Devine’s choice, underscoring the importance of player well-being. “We are fully supportive of Sophie’s decision to not take part in the upcoming series,” said Liz Green, NZC’s Head of Women’s High Performance.
“Player well-being is our highest priority and it’s important Sophie feels fit and well before returning to professional cricket.”
Since leading New Zealand to their maiden T20 World Cup title in the United Arab Emirates, Devine has remained an integral part of the squad. After the World Cup, she featured in the ODI series against India, where she accumulated 90 runs and claimed four wickets in three matches.
Her WBBL stint with Perth Scorchers saw her register 213 runs and take 11 wickets from nine games, proving her value as a genuine match-winner. In December, she was part of the ODI series against Australia, where she contributed 15 & 0/46 in the first match and 25 & 2/49 in the second match.
In domestic cricket, Devine made an impact in the Super Smash, playing five matches for Wellington and picking up eight wickets while scoring 38 runs. Her final outing for Wellington was a memorable one, as she delivered a stunning 5/13 against Canterbury on January 24, playing a pivotal role in her team’s title-winning campaign.
With Devine out of the squad, New Zealand will host Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series starting on March 4, followed by three T20Is from March 14. These matches mark the White Ferns’ return to the shortest format after their T20 World Cup success.
Additionally, New Zealand is set to host Australia in a three-match T20I series beginning on March 21, making it a crucial phase for the team as they build towards future tournaments.
Sophie Devine has been a cornerstone of New Zealand cricket, both as a batter and an all-rounder. She is on the verge of a significant milestone in her ODI career, with 3,990 runs and 107 wickets. In the T20Is, she has scored 3,391 runs with a best of 105 and has also taken 117 wickets.
She also played a vital role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning campaign in the WPL last year and was retained by the franchise for the 2025 season. In 10 matches in the 2024 edition, she scored 136 runs and claimed six wickets, showcasing her versatility. Her 99(36) remains the highest individual score at the WPL.
As Devine takes time off to prioritize her well-being, New Zealand will need to adapt in her absence. However, her return, whenever it happens, will undoubtedly bring a massive boost to the White Ferns.
(Quote sourced from New Zealand Cricket media release)
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