As the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 gathers pace, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine has already surpassed a glittering milestone in her already illustrious career.
Just 10 runs shy of reaching the 4,000-run landmark in ODI ahead of their campaign opener against the defending champions Australia, the 36-year-old all-rounder has etched her name further into the record books by the end of their clash against their Trans-Tasman rivals Australia at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on October 1.
Battling on the grandest stage of them all, Devine not just chased numbers, but fought a lonely battle (111 off 112 balls) for her side in a stiff run chase of 327; however, the White Ferns eventually fell 89 runs short. She has cemented her legacy as one of New Zealand’s greatest modern cricketers.
Devine’s international journey began nearly two decades ago in Brisbane. After making her T20I debut on 18 October 2006 against Australia, she made her ODI debut just four days later, also against the Aussies. Since then, she has donned the black jersey in 153 ODIs, accumulating 4,101 runs across 140 innings at a healthy strike rate of 85.33 and an average of 32.29. Her consistency is reflected in her record of 16 half-centuries and 9 centuries, underlining her ability to anchor innings or accelerate when the situation demands.
Among her many memorable performances, none is celebrated more than her breathtaking century during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2013 in India. On 1 February 2013, against South Africa, Devine produced a masterclass in controlled aggression, hammering 145 runs off 131 balls. Her knock, studded with 13 boundaries and 6 towering sixes, helped New Zealand coast to a massive 151-run victory. Unsurprisingly, she walked away with the Player of the Match award that night, and that innings has since become symbolic of her fearless approach to batting.
More than just numbers, Devine’s impact on the White Ferns is immeasurable. She has been their bedrock in the middle order, their power hitter in crunch situations, and their captain leading by example. Her adaptability, switching seamlessly between crafting innings and launching blistering assaults, has made her invaluable to New Zealand’s fortunes across the years. With her all-round skills, she embodies the modern-day cricketer who thrives under pressure and inspires teammates.
What makes her milestone special is the timing. Not every player gets to cross a career landmark at a World Cup, and for Devine, who is now featuring in her fifth ODI World Cup, this achievement carries extra weight. The White Ferns are seeking resurgence on the global stage, and their captain reaching 4,000 ODI runs against their fiercest rivals provides both a fitting backdrop and a massive morale booster.
She got to the landmark in the 6th over of the run chase, bowled by Sophie Molineux. The New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine had a whole lot of responsibility on her shoulders, with her side in all sorts of trouble, when she walked in at 0/2 in the 2nd over, chasing a total of 327, against the defending champions Australia. The Alyssa Healy-led side were charged up with those early breakthroughs.
However, the New Zealand skipper brought all her years of experience at the international level to the fore, as she dug deeper into the run chase, building the innings block by block. She bailed her side out of trouble with a massive 75-run partnership for the 3rd wicket, alongside Amelia Kerr (33 off 56 balls). The likes of Brooke Halliday (28 off 38 balls), Maddy Green (20 off 18 balls), and Isabella Gaze (28 off 18 balls) kept New Zealand alive in the contest with vital partnerships throughout the run chase.
Sophie Devine (111 off 112 balls) notched up her 9th century, and the 1st against Australia in the format. Her knock included 12 boundaries and 3 maximums. However, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for her side to get those crucial two points in the early stages of the tournament.
As the World Cup hosts India got off to a winning start in Guwahati with Harmanpreet Kaur’s side overpowering Sri Lanka by 59 runs in the rain-curtailed opener, all eyes now turn to the showdown in Indore. Alyssa Healy’s Australia and Sophie Devine’s New Zealand renewed their storied rivalry, adding another exciting chapter with a thrilling high-scoring contest, but for Devine, the evening carried even greater significance, as she stepped out to lead the White Ferns, playing her 5th ODI World Cup.
A knock that embodied the spirit of a warrior against a formidable Aussie attack has pushed her into an elite list of ODI run-getters, further solidifying her stature as one of the greats in women’s cricket. She becomes only the 4th White Ferns player after Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, and Debbie Hockley in the 4,000 runs club in the format for her country. Sophie Devine also becomes only the third women’s player to do the double of 4000 runs and 100 wickets in this format.
Milestones are milestones, but for Devine, the impact has always gone beyond statistics. A 36-year-old still pushing limits on the world stage, she has inspired fans and budding cricketers alike with her fearless batting, unwavering leadership, and consistency across formats. While 4,000 runs is simply just a number on the sheet, it speaks volumes about her endurance, class, and contribution to New Zealand cricket.
As she took guard against Australia in Indore, fans around the world witnessed not just another World Cup contest but a landmark moment in the enduring legacy of Sophie Devine.
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