Cricket Owes Sophie Devine More Than It Can Repay

Following England's win over New Zealand in the league-stage clash of the ongoing ICC Women's World Cup 2025, both teams lined up to give a guard of honour to celebrate Sophie Devine’s illustrious ODI career, which now comes to an end. Sophie Devine’s jaw was set, but her tears gave her away. As New Zealand’s national anthem played for the last time in her international career, she stood on the field knowing her moment had come.

Her team couldn’t give her the send-off she deserved. New Zealand bowed out of the World Cup quietly, but that doesn’t diminish the legacy of one of cricket’s most remarkable players.

“Everyone hopes to finish on a high, but it rarely happens

Following England's win over New Zealand in the league-stage clash of the ongoing ICC Women's World Cup 2025, both teams lined up to give a guard of honour to celebrate Sophie Devine’s illustrious ODI career, which now comes to an end. Sophie Devine’s jaw was set, but her tears gave her away. As New Zealand’s national anthem played for the last time in her international career, she stood on the field knowing her moment had come.

Her team couldn’t give her the send-off she deserved. New Zealand bowed out of the World Cup quietly, but that doesn’t diminish the legacy of one of cricket’s most remarkable players.

“Everyone hopes to finish on a high, but it rarely happens,” Devine said in a post-match interview. “I’m still proud and grateful for everything this team and this career have given me. One day, one game, doesn’t define that. I’ve just got so much love, I can’t wait to sit with my teammates and reflect on what’s been a pretty cool ride.”

Devine had already made her decision before the tournament began: this World Cup would mark the end of her ODI journey. That journey ended with an eight-wicket loss — New Zealand dismissed for 168, Amy Jones sealing England’s win with back-to-back boundaries off Devine herself. In typical fashion, Devine met the moment with dry humor.

“Jones could’ve at least blocked one back and given me another wicket,” she laughed, having dismissed Heather Knight lbw in her previous over. “But hey, it’s probably fitting that it ended off my bowling, got hit for four, a nice little reality check to send me off. Cricket doesn’t owe you anything.”

A stellar 19-year run

After 159 ODIs, Devine retires as one of only three players, alongside Stafanie Taylor and Ellyse Perry to score over 4,000 runs and take more than 100 wickets in the format.
Her 19-year career makes her New Zealand’s second-longest-serving ODI player, behind close friend Suzie Bates. It might have been longer had she not taken a two-year break in 2011–12 to represent New Zealand in hockey.

Devine has now surpassed 300 international appearances across formats. To mark the milestone, her teammates gifted her a necklace made from pounamu — New Zealand’s sacred greenstone — which she wore proudly for her final toss and anthem in Visakhapatnam.

Beyond the numbers, Devine has been a powerful voice for mental health awareness and an advocate for managing Type 1 Diabetes, something she’s handled openly, even on the field during tournaments.

Special Farewell by England Cricket Team

In a touching gesture, the England team gifted Devine a special jersey to showcase their respect. Devine made sure to personally thank England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and head coach Charlotte Edwards for the thoughtful tribute.

Though stepping away from ODIs, Devine isn’t done with cricket yet. She plans to continue playing T20Is, having already handed over the captaincy after leading New Zealand to a world title in 2024. Whether she’ll be back to defend it in England in 2026 remains uncertain. The bigger question is how the White Ferns will fill the void she leaves behind.

Bates, two years older, hasn’t confirmed her future either. A post-Devine era is coming, and New Zealand knows it must prepare. Devine herself has long spoken about the need for stronger player depth, an issue she highlighted over 18 months ago on ESPNcricinfo’sPowerplay podcast.

Views expressed by the author are their own.