Sophie Devine

Sophie Frances Monique Devine (born 1 September 1989) is a New Zealand sportswoman, who has represented New Zealand in both cricket for the New Zealand national women's cricket team (White Ferns), and in field hockey as a member of the New Zealand women's national field hockey team (Black Sticks Women).^[1] She has since focused on cricket.^[2] She is known for not wearing a helmet when batting, a rarity in 21st century cricket. In December 2017, she was named as one of the players in the ICC Women's T20I Team of the Year.^[3]

Sophie Devine

Devine playing for Adelaide Strikers, 2018
Personal information
Full name	Sophie Frances Monique Devine
Born	(1989-09-01) 1 September 1989 (age 35) Porirua, New Zealand
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm medium
Role	All-rounder
International information
National side	New Zealand (2006–present)
ODI debut (cap 102)	22 October 2006 v Australia
Last ODI	29 October 2024 v India
ODI shirt no.	77
T20I debut (cap 12)	18 October 2006 v Australia
Last T20I	20 October 2024 v South Africa
T20I shirt no.	77
Domestic team information
Years	Team
2003/04–2006/07	Wellington
2007/08	Canterbury
2008/09–present	Wellington
2014/15–2015/16	South Australia
2015/16–2019/20	Adelaide Strikers
2016	Loughborough Lightning
2017–2018	Warwickshire
2017	Yorkshire Diamonds
2017/18	South Australia
2018–2019	Supernovas
2018	Loughborough Lightning
2018/19–2019/20	Western Australia
2020/21–present	Perth Scorchers
2022–present	Birmingham Phoenix
2023–present	Royal Challengers Bangalore
2023	Guyana Amazon Warriors
Career statistics
Competition WODI WT20I Matches 150 143 Runs scored 3,950 3,391 Batting average 31.85 28.25 100s/50s 8/16 1/21 Top score 145 105 Balls bowled 4,948 2,027 Wickets 105 117 Bowling average 35.53 19.99 5 wickets in innings 0 0 10 wickets in match 0 0 Best bowling 3/24 4/22 Catches/stumpings 40/– 48/–
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 29 October 2024
Medal record Representing  New Zealand Women's Cricket T20 World Cup Winner 2024 UAE Runner-up 2009 England Runner-up 2010 West Indies Commonwealth Games 2022 Birmingham Team

In August 2018, she was awarded a central contract by New Zealand Cricket, following the tours of Ireland and England in the previous months.^[4][5] In October 2018, she was named in New Zealand's squad for the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies.^[6][7] Ahead of the tournament, she was named as the star of the team.^[8]

In July 2020, Devine was appointed as the captain of the New Zealand women's cricket team on a full-time basis,^[9] taking over from Amy Satterthwaite.^[10] In September 2021, in the second match against England, Devine played in her 100th WT20I.^[11]

Early life

Devine was born in Kenepuru hospital, Porirua, New Zealand, and grew up in Tawa, a northern suburb of Wellington, New Zealand, where she attended Greenacres School and Tawa College. She began to play cricket and hockey at the age of four and wanted to become an All Black. At Tawa College, she played cricket mainly in the boys' teams including representative Wellington age group teams and the Tawa College boys first 11 and she played in the boys premier hockey team for the Tawa club. In her last year at Tawa College, she was awarded the bowling 'wicket' for the most wickets in the season. A previous winner was Black Caps Mark Gillespie. She started playing senior women's hockey at age 14 and made her first-class cricket debut as a 14-year-old. At the end of 2006, Devine shifted to Christchurch with her family when her father was relocated with his work. After attending Rangi Ruru Girls' School for her final high school year, she attended the University of Canterbury completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in sociology.^[12]

Career

Devine batting for New Zealand during the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup

Devine was selected for the New Zealand women's national cricket team, the White Ferns, at age 17 and became one of the youngest-ever members of the team. She was in a home economics class at Tawa College when the White Ferns coach, Steve Jenkin, gave her the news.^[13]

In November 2018, she was named in the Adelaide Strikers' squad for the 2018–19 Women's Big Bash League season.^[14][15] In March 2019, she was named as the ANZ International Women's T20 Player of the Year at the annual New Zealand Cricket awards.^[16] She also took over when captain Amy Satterthwaite went on maternity leave.^[17]

In January 2020, she was named as the captain of New Zealand's squad for the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Australia.^[18] On 10 February 2020, in the fourth WT20I match against South Africa, Devine scored her first century in a WT20I match.^[19] In the same match, she became the first cricketer (male or female) to make five consecutive scores of fifty or more in T20Is.^[20] In New Zealand's first match of the Women's T20 World Cup, against Sri Lanka, Devine became the first cricketer, male or female, to make six consecutive scores of fifty or more in T20I cricket.^[21] She was the leading run-scorer for New Zealand in the tournament, with 132 runs in four matches.^[22]

In November 2020, Devine was nominated for the ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Decade award.^[23][24] In February 2022, she was named as the captain of New Zealand's team for the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.^[25]

In April 2022, she was picked by the Birmingham Phoenix for the 2022 season of The Hundred in England.^[26] In June 2022, Devine was named as the captain of New Zealand's team for the cricket tournament at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.^[27]

In the inaugural season of the Women's Premier League in 2023, Devine was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the price of 50 Lakhs.^[28]

In September 2024 she was named as captain of the New Zealand squad for the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup^[29] where they won the tournament.^[30][31] Devine's individual highlight at the event was scoring 57 not out in the group stage win over India.^[32][33]

Devine was named as captain of the New Zealand squad for their ODI tour to India in October 2024.^[34]

Records

On 11 July 2015, Devine broke the international record (women) for the fastest Twenty20 half century (from 18 balls), and fastest 70 runs (from 22 balls), and included scoring 32 off one over in the first match against India.^[35] She holds the record for scoring the fastest ever fifty in Women's Twenty20 International (WT20I) history (from 18 balls).^[36][37] During a match against Pakistan at the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup, Devine became the first woman to hit nine sixes in Women's One-day International cricket.^[38][39] In 2020, she became the first player (male or female) to score fifties in 6 consecutive T20Is.^[40] In January 2021, she broke the women's T20 record for the fastest century, scoring 100 in 36 balls for Wellington Blaze against Otago Sparks in the 2020–21 Super Smash.^[41]

International centuries

In February 2013, in a return to international cricket after an absence of two-and-a-half years, Devine scored her maiden international century, 145 runs from 131 balls, in New Zealand's opening match of the 2013 Women's Cricket World Cup against South Africa. She also combined with Suzie Bates in a 128-run partnership, and followed up with partnerships of 64 with Sara McGlashan and 102 with Nicola Browne.^[42][43] During the innings, Devine hit 13 fours and six sixes,^[42] although she later said, "I couldn’t find the middle of the bat. I felt really scratchy, like I was never in really good flow."^[43]

Some five years later, in the course of just 10 matches between October 2017 and July 2018, Devine made her next four ODI centuries, against four different opponents, in four different countries.^[44] She scored no further international centuries until 2020, when she made her maiden T20I ton, against South Africa at home.^[45] On that occasion, she shared in another big partnership – of 142 – with Bates, and in another victory for New Zealand. "I know I was a little bit lucky in that knock,” she said later. "I think I got dropped a couple of times, but you sort of ride that."^[43]

In March 2022, she made a further WODI century, against the West Indies during the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup, also in New Zealand.^[44]

On 30 June 2023, she combined with Amelia Kerr in a 229-run partnership to lead New Zealand to a 116-run victory in the second of a three-ODI bilateral series against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. It was the third-highest partnership by New Zealand's women for any wicket in ODIs. Each player scored a century; Devine finished with 137 runs, including 17 fours and two sixes, from just 121 balls.^[46][47]

One Day International centuries^[44]

No.	Runs	Opponents	City/Country	Venue	Year
1	145	South Africa	Cuttack, India	DRIEMS Ground	2013[48]
2	103	Pakistan	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates	Sharjah Cricket Stadium	2017[49]
3	108	West Indies	Lincoln, New Zealand	Bert Sutcliffe Oval	2018[50]
4	108	Ireland	Dublin, Ireland	The Vineyard	2018[51]
5	117 *	England	Leicester, England	Grace Road	2018[52]
6	108	West Indies	Mount Maunganui, New Zealand	Bay Oval	2022[53]
7	137	Sri Lanka	Galle, Sri Lanka	Galle International Stadium	2023[54]

T20 International centuries^[45]

No.	Runs	Opponents	City/Country	Venue	Year
1	105	South Africa	Wellington, New Zealand	Basin Reserve	2020[55]

See also

• List of centuries in women's One Day International cricket
• List of centuries in women's Twenty20 International cricket

References

1. "Sophie Devine – Profile". Hockey New Zealand. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
2. Ragav, S. Dipak (13 March 2016). "Devine, the double international". The Hindu.
3. "Ellyse Perry declared ICC's Women's Cricketer of the Year". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
4. "Rachel Priest left out of New Zealand women contracts". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
5. "Four new players included in White Ferns contract list". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
6. "New Zealand women pick spin-heavy squads for Australia T20Is, World T20". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
7. "White Ferns turn to spin in big summer ahead". New Zealand Cricket. Archived from the original on 18 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
8. "Key Players: New Zealand". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
9. "Devine offered New Zealand captaincy on full-time basis". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
10. "Sophie Devine named permanent New Zealand captain". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
11. "Devine to join elite club". Radio New Zealand. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
12. Sophie Devine sportsground.co.nz . Retrieved 28 January 2017
13. Sophie Devine profile, Cricket New Zealand, Retrieved 28 January 2017
14. "WBBL04: All you need to know guide". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
15. "The full squads for the WBBL". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
16. "Williamson named NZ Player of the Year at ANZ Awards". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
17. "Sophie Devine named new White Ferns captain, replacing Amy Satterthwaite". Stuff. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
18. "Lea Tahuhu returns to New Zealand squad for T20 World Cup". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
19. "Sophie Devine's maiden T20I century seals series for New Zealand". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
20. "New Zealand claim T20I series 3–1 as rain plays spoilsport". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
21. "Devine's sixth T20I fifty in a row seals New Zealand win". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
22. "ICC Women's T20 World Cup, 2019/20 – New Zealand Women: Batting and bowling averages". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
23. "Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steven Smith, Joe Root nominated for ICC men's cricketer of the decade award". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
24. "ICC Awards of the Decade announced". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
25. "Leigh Kasperek left out of New Zealand's ODI World Cup squad". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
26. "The Hundred 2022: latest squads as Draft picks revealed". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
27. "Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze earn maiden New Zealand call-ups for Commonwealth Games". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
28. Tripathi, Anuj (ed.). "WPL Auction: NZ captain Sophie Devine becomes first foreigner to be sold, fetches Rs 50 lakh from RCB". India Today. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
29. "Devine and Bates set for ninth consecutive T20 World Cup". New Zealand Cricket. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
30. "Bates and Devine's crowning moment in World Cup of hope". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
31. "Devine on New Zealand's T20 World Cup win: 'Hard to put into words what it means'". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
32. "New Zealand consign India to heavy loss in Dubai demolition". Intercontinental Cricket Council. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
33. "New Zealand shoot India out for 102 amid high drama to script big win". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
34. "Inglis earns maiden WHITE FERNS call-up - Down continues ODI return". New Zealand Cricket. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
35. "Sophie Devine World Record T20i Half Century". YouTube. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
36. "Records | Women's Twenty20 Internationals | Batting records | Fastest fifties | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
37. Watch: Kiwi cricketer slams fastest ever 50 NZ Herald Retrieved 24 August 2017
38. "Women's World Cup: Sophie Devine hits nine sixes to break world record". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
39. It's 'boom town' as world record six-hitter Sophie Devine smashes White Ferns to win stuff.co.nz Retrieved 24 August 2017
40. "Records | Women's Twenty20 Internationals | Batting records | Fifties in consecutive innings". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
41. "Sophie Devine hits 36-ball hundred – fastest in women's T20 cricket". BBC Sport. 14 January 2021.
42. "Devine's ton helps New Zealand crush South Africa by 150 runs in Women's World Cup". The Times of India. PTI. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
43. Anderson, Merryn (1 March 2022). "Sophie Devine's terrible first century". LockerRoom. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
44. "All-round records | Women's One-Day Internationals | ESPNcricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com – Sophie Devine". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
45. "All-round records | Women's Twenty20 Internationals | ESPNcricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com – Sophie Devine". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
46. ESPNcricinfo staff (30 June 2023). "Kerr and Devine tons lead New Zealand fightback to draw level". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
47. Tailor, Yash (1 July 2023). "Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine's 229 Run Partnership helps New Zealand level ODI series 1-1". Female Cricket. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
48. "Full Scorecard of NZ Women vs SA Women 4th Match, Group B 2012/13 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
49. "Full Scorecard of NZ Women vs PAK Women 1st ODI 2017/18 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
50. "Full Scorecard of NZ Women vs WI Women 1st ODI 2017/18 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
51. "Full Scorecard of NZ Women vs Ire Women 2nd ODI 2018 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
52. "Full Scorecard of ENG Women vs NZ Women 3rd ODI 2017/18-2021 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
53. "1st Match (D/N), Mount Maunganui, Mar 4 2022, ICC Women's World Cup". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
54. "NZ WMN vs SL WMN Scorecard 2022/23-2025 | Cricket Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
55. "Full Scorecard of NZ Women vs SA Women 4th T20I 2019/20 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2021.

Further reading

• Jolly, Laura (27 November 2022). "Challenge meets opportunity for game's next evolution". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
• Mohanarangan, Vinayakk (12 May 2022). "Sophie Devine interview: 'When the women's IPL happens, I'll be scared of what's coming from India'". Scroll.in. Retrieved 14 October 2022.

External links

Media related to Sophie Devine at Wikimedia Commons

• Sophie Devine at ESPNcricinfo
• Sophie Devine at CricketArchive (subscription required)