Recently New Zealand named Sophie Devine as the permanent captain taking the place of Amy Satterthwaite who had been on hiatus due to maternity leave. In her 14-year career as a White Ferns player, Devine has batted at every position in the batting order. Devine who made her debut against Australia in 2006 as an all-rounder started her international cricket career batting at number 11.
Since her debut in 2006, Devine has proved herself in both the batting and bowling department which has led to her promotion up the batting order. In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Sophie Devine said she was prepared to bat at any place in the line up if it meant her team winning.
“It certainly has helped me gain a great understanding of what is required in the different roles and trying to figure out how my own style of play can be used in any position. It also helps me relate when I’m battling with teammates down the order as I’ve been in their shoes and know the sort of pressures they face. Not too sure where my best position is but as long as it’s helping my team win then I’ll bat anywhere,” Sophie Devine said.
The 30-year-old has played 105 ODIs and 91 T20 Internationals for the White Ferns, amassing a total of 4954 runs and 158 wickets has been the star performer for New Zealand in the recent ICC WT20.
“I’m not too sure if it is the captaincy or not as I’d always want to lead from the front whether I’m the captain of the side or not. It certainly helps when you’re performing on the park to motivate and encourage your teammates but I also know that cricket can be a fickle game and form can come and go so it will be how I can support my team and lead from the front in other ways, not just with the bat in hand,” Sophie Devine told Sportskeeda.
After scoring her first century against South Africa during the T20 World Cup Devine became the first cricketer (male or female) to make five consecutive scores of fifty or more in T20Is.
🚨RECORD ALERT🚨
Sophie Devine becomes the first cricketer (male or female) to score 5 consecutive 50+ scores in T20Is. @T20WorldCup are you listening? 😃 @WHITE_FERNS #T20WorldCup #SAvNZ pic.twitter.com/mqd60329NH
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 10, 2020
Speaking about her newly earned captaincy Devine told Sportskeeda: “I don’t see there being any difference from when I held the role whilst Amy was on maternity leave – the only difference being now I will have even more support and knowledge to lean on with Amy coming back into the squad. Again my approach won’t be any different, as a player you evolve over time and I think that is the same with the captaincy. I hope to continue to grow into this role.”
The White Ferns has begun pre-season training in Lincoln with all COVID precautions. New Zealand is set to return to cricketing action with a tour to Australia starting in September to play three ODIs and three T20Is.
Source: Habil Sherule for SportsKeeda
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