Proud Devine looks ahead following New Zealand's Indore loss
New Zealand didn't get the win against Australia, but captain Sophie Devine could not have been prouder of her teammates.
It doesn't have to always be about winning.
That was the message from White Ferns captain Sophie Devine after her side's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup contest with the Aussies.
New Zealand suffered an 89-run loss to their rivals in Indore, but are steadfast in focusing on the positives that came out of their first appearance at the World Cup.
Australia's World Cup campaign off to a winning start | Match Highlights | CWC25
Australia seal a dominant win over New Zealand in their first game at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.
The White Ferns continued to fight back from uncomfortable positions in the 50-over match, displaying a gritty resolve against the reigning champions.
Devine stood tall in the face of adversity with a sensational century that gave New Zealand's tough chase some life in the second innings.
"I'll just say come and feel my shirt, I think you'll see how tough that was," Devine said post-game.
"But I guess that's the thing that I probably took strength from, is the work that the girls have done over the last six to 12 months, it's been exactly for a knock like that, it's the hard stuff that no one sees behind closed doors and every single one of this group has been slogging away, making sure that they're fit and ready to be able to go out there and do a job like I was able to do today."
Sophie Devine takes positives from New Zealand loss | Post-match Press Conference | CWC25
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine said there was plenty to like from her side's loss to Australia at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup
New Zealand's campaign is far from over, particluarly given the format - they have six remaining pool matches and will strive to qualify top four for a shot in the semi-final stage.
So Devine and her side will zoom in on the reasons to be optimistic after their defeat.
"Just happy with the fight this team showed, a couple of years ago we would have thrown the towel in pretty early," she continued.
"It shows the mindset of the group that we stay in the fight. I'm incredibly proud that, well I was probably a little bit slow towards the end getting a bit tired and things, but I know every one of our players wants to be there and wants to be contributing throughout the full 100 overs."
Sophie Devine's fighting ton against Australia | Player Highlights | CWC25
Sophie Devine hit a run-a-ball 112, including three sixes, to give New Zealand a fighting chance against Australia at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.
"The fight and the resilience shown just to knuckle down rather than throw our wickets, it's something I'm really proud of for this group and the way the likes of Izzy Gaze came out to bat, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, the way that people just keep going to their strengths and taking the game on, that's something that I spoke at an earlier press conference, it's about how we play this game.
"Yes, results are important and we want to win, but the way that we played tonight, it's made me really proud and I certainly know that we can keep pushing the best teams in the world really hard. But also we can be at the business end of the tournament if we can make sure that we're playing good cricket for longer periods of time."
