Sophie Devine: ‘I am so proud of the person I have become’
Media release
So much has changed within women’s cricket since Sophie Devine made her ODI debut as a ‘naïve’ 17-year-old but her burning desire to help New Zealand succeed has been one relentless constant.
Devine, now 36, is approaching her ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup swansong determined to combine enjoyment with a steely resolve as the White Ferns bid to lift the trophy for just the second time.
The all-rounder will go down in cricketing folklore in New Zealand no matter what happens over the coming weeks. She sits second in her nation's list of all-time ODI wicket-takers and fourth in the equivalent run-scoring standings, which is likely to become third by the end of the tournament should Devine reel in Debbie Hockley.
But this is a player who does not give thought to personal milestones. Over the best part of two decades on the international scene, Devine has been all about the team and she has invariably improved those she has been part of.
The Kiwi skipper is looking forward rather than back, with such a big task at hand. But asked what message she would give her younger self, the teenage debutant, reflection is inevitable.
“When I look back, I was quite fortunate that I was quite naïve and a lot of stuff went over my head which was a blessing in disguise,” she said.
“I could just go out and play cricket and enjoy it for what it is. It is crazy to think nearly 20 years have passed and to think how much I’ve grown.
“Not just as a player, which has been pretty obvious - I have filled lots of different position in this White Ferns team – but more importantly the person I have become.
“That is something I am really proud of, to be in a space now where I feel so comfortable and confident in my own abilities but also to lead this team with a lot of pride.
“Everyone knows how passionate I am about the White Ferns and New Zealand cricket.
“That is something that has never changed from the 17-year-old who first played to now, my love for the team hasn’t wavered. If anything, it has probably grown over time.”
New Zealand finished runners-up in Devine’s first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, in 2009, but have not been back to the final in her three subsequent campaigns.
The White Ferns won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup against all odds last year, putting 10 straight defeats behind them to deliver when it mattered and instilling them with the belief that a repeat is possible in India and Sri Lanka.
“It was pretty well documented that we didn’t have the greatest run of results leading into the T20 World Cup, but we had such a strong belief in the group that we were doing the right things behind closed doors,” she said.
“What mattered most was the people who know and care about the group knew what we were capable of.
“It taught us a lot of resilience and winning that World Cup proved to us that we have the ability to beat anyone in the world.
“It has certainly given us confidence, but we know this is a different format, it’s a new tournament so everyone starts back on zero.
“As always, us Kiwis are pretty happy to fly under the radar. The ones in the room are the ones we care about the most.
"The great thing about the World Cup, compared to when I look back at the start of my career, is that anyone can win this tournament. It’s a really exciting place to be.”
Devine is not hanging up her bat for good and will continue to play franchise cricket as well as remaining available for T20Is.
But she bows out of the 50-over scene delighted at the progress the game has made during her time in the international arena and joked she is ‘glad I’m finishing up, as some of the talent coming through is pretty scary’.
“When my time is up, I will be the biggest fan, watching the game and how it continues to evolve,” she continued.
“Seeing where it has come from and even how quickly it has changed over the past couple of years, the potential for the women’s game is limitless.
“Being able to share that excitement with younger players is a really rewarding part of the game.
“To be able to help where I can and help grow the game is what makes the women’s cricket environment so special.
“We want everyone to get better, and we look out for each other. It doesn’t matter what team I’m playing for; I want to make myself and my teammates better.
“I feel in a really good space to go out and enjoy every moment of my last World Cup.”
ENDS