Women’s cricket has undergone nothing short of a revolution, and few are better placed than White Ferns captain Sophie Devine to put this journey, which she calls “pretty wild”, into words. Recently recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for her services to cricket, Devine’s reflections offer both a mirror and a roadmap for the women’s game. Her career, studded with records and milestones, is matched only by her candid perspective on the game’s breakneck evolution.
When Sophie Devine first donned the White Ferns jersey in 2006 at just 17, she could never have imagined the transformation women’s cricket would undergo in less than two decades.
Devine’s awe at the sport’s evolution is palpable. “It’s been unbelievable, even the last five or six years it’s gone to a completely another level,” she says, recalling the early days when a bit of “lunch money” and covered travel expenses were the perks of representing New Zealand. Back in 2014, the most a White Fern could earn was around $25,000 a year. Today, top players can earn upwards of $180,000, and stars like Amelia Kerr, with global franchise contracts, are pulling in half a million dollars annually.
“I always wished that we would be able to be full-time professionals,” Devine reflects, “But to see the money that’s available now through some of these franchise competitions and the way that cricket boards around the world are starting to really invest in the women’s game. I guess I’m most excited for what the future holds in terms of these youngsters coming through.”
Yet, for all the progress, Devine is quick to acknowledge that the journey is far from over. “It’s still got a long way to go. It’s part of the journey, I think, in terms of equal pay and things like that, but it’s been pretty wild to think about how far it has come.” Her words echo the sentiment of many in the women’s cricket community: proud of the gains, but aware of the distance yet to travel.
The explosion of franchise leagues like Australia’s Big Bash and India’s WPL has brought new opportunities—and new pressures. Devine knows this firsthand. “Last year, after winning the T20 World Cup, less than 48 hours later, we were on a plane to India and playing in a series a couple of days later,” she recounts. “We know that’s part of the job and why you get paid what you do. It’s a serious conversation that needs to be had in terms of the scheduling because it’s only going to get busier.”
Her concern is not just for herself, but for the next generation. “Hopefully, we can manage it so that there are opportunities to allow players to get breaks, particularly young ones. I think of Melie Kerr, who could have another 10–15-year international career, and you don’t want to see her end her career early because she’s burnt out.”
For Devine, the message is clear, “It’s important that players take the opportunity to step away when they need to and not get sucked into the vacuum that can be not just international cricket but franchise cricket as well. You don’t want to feel like you’re missing out, but your mind and body are your tools of your trade, so it’s a really important conversation that needs to be had.”
Devine herself has taken breaks for her well-being, most recently stepping away for two months earlier this year. Now, she returns to the White Ferns camp in Christchurch, energised for the road to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India. Despite all she’s achieved, the thrill of competition hasn’t faded.
“Pinnacle events excite me as much as they did when I first joined the White Ferns,” she admits. “I guess being a little bit older and wiser, it’s how you manage those emotions and energy going into that, because those pinnacle events are so big and they seem to roll around every year. I think for me it’s about how I manage my expectations and my energy levels.”
Retirement, she confesses, is a daunting thought. “Yes, in all honesty, that’s probably something I’ve been toying with for the last 12 months or so, and what does that look like, trying to make that transition as smooth as possible. It’s a pretty scary concept for a lot of athletes, but I’ve had fantastic support. It’s going to be very different to what I’ve done for over half of my life, which is travelling the world playing cricket, which I’ve been very fortunate to do.”
But Devine’s passion for the game ensures she’ll remain involved. “There are so many more opportunities opening up in the women’s game, whether that’s coaching, commentating, or being involved in the media side of things. Fingers crossed I can stay involved in some way, I certainly feel I’ve got a lot to give back.”
Sophie Devine’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and hope. Her words, woven from experience and vision, highlight how far women’s cricket has come and how much further it can go. As the White Ferns prepare for their next challenge, Devine’s voice stands as both a celebration of progress and a reminder to keep striving for more, as the journey is far from over.
(Quotes sourced from RNZ)
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