In a significant shift for New Zealand cricket, Sophie Devine is set to step down as the White Ferns’ T20I captain following the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The 34-year-old, who turns 35 on September 1, will remain an integral part of the T20 squad and continue to lead the ODI side, focusing on the upcoming World Cup in India next year.
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled from October 3rd to 20th, will see New Zealand compete in Group A. They will kick off their campaign against India on October 4th, followed by matches against Australia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Devine, who first captained the New Zealand T20I team in 2014-15 and took on the permanent role in 2020, has so far led her team in 56 T20Is, securing 25 wins and one tie.
Devine holds the distinction of being the first cricketer to score six consecutive fifty-plus scores in T20Is, a streak that includes a century against South Africa. Her leadership in the upcoming World Cup will mark her third successive stint as New Zealand’s T20I captain, having previously led the team in the 2020 and 2023 editions. However, Devine is ready to hand over the reins after this tournament to focus on her role as a player and the ODI captaincy.
Devine explained her decision, emphasizing the need for a balanced workload. “I’m very proud to have had the privilege to captain the WHITE FERNS in both formats,” she said. “With captaincy comes an additional workload that, while I’ve enjoyed taking on, can also be challenging at times. Stepping away from the T20 captaincy will take a bit off my plate so I can focus more of my energy on my playing role and nurturing the future leaders.”
She also expressed her commitment to leading the ODI team, saying, “I’m not ready to give up ODI captaincy just yet. But I won’t be around forever, so I think stepping away from captaining one format at a time gives the next leaders time to find their feet.”
Who do you think would be an ideal captaincy replacement for Sophie Devine in T20Is? 🤔 #CricketTwitter #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/kBuEHj0NVC
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) August 30, 2024
Devine’s leadership extends beyond international cricket; she has also captained the Perth Scorchers in the Women’s Big Bash League, leading them to the title in the 2021-22 season and has been pre-signed for the 2024-25 season.
Head coach Ben Sawyer praised Devine’s leadership, both on and off the field. “Soph is the epitome of a fearless leader and we’re really grateful for the leadership she brings to this group on and off the field. She’s one of the most experienced White Ferns ever, and her leadership and knowledge of the game have been so valuable as we have introduced several young players into the team over the past two years. I know the decision wasn’t easy for Soph, but I fully support it and know that she’s still going to be a prominent leader in the group,” Sawyer said.
NZC CEO Scott Weenink echoed Sawyer’s sentiments, expressing satisfaction with Devine’s ongoing role in the team. “We’re grateful to have a player of Sophie’s calibre in the WHITE FERNS and I’m delighted that she is still committed to captaining the ODI team,” Weenink said.
New Zealand will announce their squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup on September 10. They are set to depart on September 16 for a three-match T20I series against Australia in Mackay and Brisbane as part of their World Cup preparations. A decision on Devine’s long-term successor as T20I captain will be made later.
(Quotes sourced from New Zealand Cricket)