Sophie Devine

Sophie Devine

Sophie Frances Monique Devine, born on September 1, 1989, is a prominent New Zealand athlete who has made her mark in both cricket and field hockey. Initially known for her dual sporting pursuits, including representing New Zealand in field hockey as part of the national women’s field hockey team (Black Sticks Women), Devine later transitioned to focus primarily on cricket, notably for the New Zealand national women’s cricket team, also known as the White Ferns.

Devine’s unconventional decision to not wear a helmet while batting set her apart in cricket, earning her recognition. Named in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year in December 2017, she secured a central contract with New Zealand Cricket in August 2018. Her pivotal role in the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 tournament showcased her importance. Appointed as New Zealand’s full-time captain in July 2020, Devine’s legacy was enhanced with her 100th WT20I match in September 2021.

History:

Born in Kenepuru Hospital, Porirua, New Zealand, Devine spent her formative years in Tawa, a suburb of Wellington. She attended Greenacres School and later Tawa College, where she delved into cricket and hockey at the tender age of four, harboring dreams of becoming an All-Black rugby player. Renowned for her sporting prowess, she played cricket predominantly in boys’ teams at Tawa College and represented Wellington’s age-group teams.

Additionally, she excelled in hockey, featuring prominently in Tawa’s premier boys’ hockey team. Notably, Devine’s talent earned her the bowling ‘wicket’ award at Tawa College, an honor previously bestowed upon Black Caps cricketer Mark Gillespie. Her transition to Christchurch in 2006 led her to Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, where she continued her academic and sporting journey before pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology at the University of Canterbury.

Teams:

Devine’s cricket journey took a significant leap when she earned a spot in the New Zealand women’s national cricket team, the White Ferns, at just 17 years old, making her one of the youngest-ever members of the squad. The life-changing news came unexpectedly while she was attending a home economics class at Tawa College, with the White Ferns coach, Steve Jenkin, delivering the exciting announcement.

In November 2018, Devine’s cricketing career expanded further when she was selected to join the Adelaide Strikers for the 2018–19 Women’s Big Bash League season. Her remarkable performances didn’t go unnoticed, as she was honored with the ANZ International Women’s T20 Player of the Year award at the annual New Zealand Cricket Awards in March 2019. Additionally, Devine assumed the role of captaincy in the absence of Amy Satterthwaite, who went on maternity leave.

In April 2022, Devine’s talents were recognized once again as she was chosen by the Birmingham Phoenix to represent them in the 2022 season of The Hundred in England. Then, in June 2022, she received the prestigious honor of being appointed as the captain of New Zealand’s team for the cricket tournament at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

In the debut season of the Women’s Premier League in 2023, Devine’s skills attracted the attention of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who secured her services for a price of 50 Lakhs.

Devine has been a stalwart of the New Zealand national cricket team since making her debut in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against Australia in October 2006. She has remained a consistent presence in the team, showcasing her talent and contributing significantly to New Zealand’s success over the years. Devine’s journey in international cricket spans several years, during which she has earned the respect of teammates and opponents alike. 

Her ODI debut came on 22 October 2006, while she made her first appearance in T20Is just days earlier, on 18 October 2006, both against Australia. As of her last matches in July 2023 against Sri Lanka, Devine continues to be an integral part of the New Zealand cricket squad, in ODIs.

In January 2020, Devine’s leadership qualities were acknowledged as she was appointed as the captain of New Zealand’s squad for the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia. On 10 February 2020, in a pivotal WT20I match against South Africa, Devine achieved a remarkable milestone by scoring her first century in a WT20I match. In the same match, she made history by becoming the first cricketer, regardless of gender, to achieve five consecutive scores of fifty or more in T20Is. 

Continuing her stellar performance, in New Zealand’s opening match of the Women’s T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka, Devine set another record by becoming the first cricketer, male or female, to achieve six consecutive scores of fifty or more in T20I cricket. She emerged as the leading run-scorer for New Zealand in the tournament, amassing 132 runs in four matches.

Achievements and Awards:

On 11 July 2015, Devine made headlines by setting multiple international records in women’s cricket. In a match against India, she achieved the fastest-ever Twenty20 half-century, reaching the milestone in just 18 balls, and the fastest 70 runs, accomplishing this feat in only 22 balls. Notably, she also smashed 32 runs off a single over during this remarkable innings. Devine holds the record for the fastest fifty in Women’s Twenty20 International (WT20I) history, achieved in just 18 balls. 

At the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup, she further etched her name in history by becoming the first woman to hit nine sixes in a Women’s One-day International cricket match against Pakistan. Additionally, in 2020, Devine became the first player, regardless of gender, to score fifties in six consecutive T20Is. Her remarkable achievements continued into January 2021 when she broke the women’s T20 record for the fastest century, scoring 100 runs in just 36 balls for Wellington Blaze against Otago Sparks in the 2020–21 Super Smash tournament.

In November 2020, Devine’s outstanding contributions earned her a nomination for the prestigious ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Decade award. Then, in February 2022, she was entrusted with the captaincy of New Zealand’s team for the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup, which took place in her home country.

Stats:

Sophie Devine, the accomplished cricketer from New Zealand, has left a significant mark in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is). In ODIs, she has played 134 matches, accumulating 3676 runs at an average of 31.15. Devine has scored seven centuries and 15 half-centuries in this format, with a highest score of 145 runs.

In T20 Internationals, Devine has represented her country in 127 matches, amassing 3107 runs at an average of 28.76. She has scored one century and 18 half-centuries in T20Is, with a highest score of 105 runs.

Additionally, Devine has showcased her skills in the Women’s Big Bash League (WPL), where she has scored 266 runs in 8 matches at an average of 32.25. Her highest score in the WPL is 99 runs.

On the bowling front, Devine has been equally impressive. In ODIs, she has taken 101 wickets in 143 matches, with her best bowling figures being 3 for 24. She has conceded 3559 runs at an average of 35.23, with an economy rate of 4.49.

In T20 Internationals, Devine has claimed 113 wickets in 127 matches, with her best bowling figures being 4 for 22. She has given away 2035 runs at an average of 18.00, with an economy rate of 6.40.

In the Women’s Big Bash League, Devine has taken 3 wickets in 8 matches, with an average of 31.33 and an economy rate of 9.40. Her consistent performances with both bat and ball have established her as a key player in the world of women’s cricket.

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