Sophie to step down from T20 captaincy after Women WC
Sophie Devine will step down as New Zealand’s T20 captain after the conclusion of the Women’s T20 World Cup in October. The 34-year-old Devine will still lead the ODI team. Sophie Devine has led New Zealand in 56 T20 matches with a 25-28 win-loss record (1 tie), first as stand-in captain in the 2014-15 season and then taking over the full-time role from Amy Satterthwaite in 2020.
Sophie Devine, who is New Zealand’s second-highest all-time scorer with 3268 runs in 135 matches since her debut in 2006, said her desire to balance the workload led to the decision. I am very proud to have the privilege of captaining the White Ferns in both formats. With captaincy comes additional workload, which I enjoy taking on, but can be challenging at times.
Devine, who is currently on a rest to recover from a foot injury ahead of the T20 World Cup, emphasised her desire not to give up the ODI captaincy just yet and to continue playing for New Zealand in both white-ball formats.
“I’m not ready to give up the ODI captaincy just yet. But I won’t be around forever, so I think stepping away from the captaincy of one format at a time will give the next leaders time to find their feet,” she reasoned.
New Zealand Cricket is yet to name her successor
Soph is the epitome of a fearless leader and we’re really grateful for the leadership she brings to this group. “She’s always been a great performer both on and off the field,” New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said. She is one of the most experienced White Ferns ever and her leadership and knowledge of the game has been very valuable as we have incorporated a number of young players into the squad over the last two years.
I know this decision was not easy for Soph, but I fully support it and know she is still going to be a key leader in the group. New Zealand are due to name a 15-member squad for the World Cup on September 10, before the team departs for a three-match T20I tour of Australia to prepare.
NZC CEO Scott Wennink
Sophie Devine will step down as T20 captain at the conclusion of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in October to balance her workload. However, she will take charge of the ODI team, the New Zealand Cricket Board said on Friday.
The 34-year-old has led New Zealand Women in 56 T20s including 25 wins, 28 losses, 1 tie, captaining the side in a few games in 2014-15 before taking over the permanent role across both formats from Amy Satterthwaite in 2020.
Very proud to have had the privilege of captaining the Ferns
I am very proud to have had the privilege of captaining the White Ferns across both formats. Captaincy also comes with an additional workload that I enjoy carrying but can be challenging at times.
Devine is currently resting to recover from a foot injury. She will continue to lead the side in ODI cricket and reiterated her desire to continue playing for New Zealand across both formats.
I am not ready to give up the ODI captaincy yet. But I won’t be around forever, so I think stepping away from captaincy of one format at a time will give the next leaders time to find their feet, she said.
Ben Sawyer said
Head coach Ben Sawyer said he fully supports Devine’s decision. Soph is the epitome of a fearless leader and we are truly grateful for her leadership on and off the field. She is one of the most experienced White Ferns we have ever seen and her leadership and knowledge of the game has been very valuable.
Because we have added a lot of young players to the squad over the last two years. I know this decision wasn’t easy for Soph, but I fully support it and know she is still going to be a key leader in the group, he said.
Conclusion
NZC CEO Scott Weenink was happy that Devine would continue to play a role in the team. “We are grateful to have a player of Sophie’s calibre in the White Ferns and I am delighted that she is still committed to captaining the ODI side.
New Zealand’s 15-player squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be announced on 10 September. The team will depart on 16 September to play three T20Is against Australia in Mackay and Brisbane in preparation for the World Cup.
