Upon the conclusion of the forthcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in October, Sophie Devine will leave her position as captain of New Zealand’s T20I team. The 34-year-old will continue to lead the ODI squad.
After replacing Amy Satterthwaite as full-time captain in 2020 after serving as a stand-in captain for the 2014–15 season, Devine has led New Zealand in 56 Twenty20 matches with a 25–28 win-loss record (one tie).
Devine, who has amassed 3268 runs in 135 matches since her debut in 2006 and is currently New Zealand’s second-highest scorer in the format, stated that she made the decision in order to balance her workload.
“I’m very proud to have had the privilege to captain the White Ferns in both formats,” said Devine. “With captaincy comes an additional workload that, while I’ve enjoyed taking on, can also be challenging at times. “Stepping away from the T20 captaincy will take a bit off my plate so I can focus more of my energy on my playing role and nurturing the future leaders.”
Devine, who is currently recovering from a foot injury in time for the T20 World Cup, emphasized that she will not be giving up her ODI captaincy just yet and that she intends to play both white-ball formats for New Zealand.
“I’m not ready to give up ODI captaincy just yet,” she said. “But I won’t be around forever, so I think stepping away from captaining one format at a time gives the next leaders time to find their feet,” she reasoned.
New Zealand Cricket are 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 on and off the field,” said New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer. “She’s one of the most experienced White Ferns ever and her leadership and knowledge of the game has been so valuable as we have introduced several young players into the team over the past two years.
“I know the decision wasn’t easy for Soph, but I fully support it and know that she’s still going to be a prominent leader in the group.”
On September 10, New Zealand is expected to reveal its 15-member World Cup roster. In the interim, the team will go to Australia for a three-match Twenty20 series. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup commences on October 3 in the UAE, after being relocated from Bangladesh.
ALSO READ: Rashid Khan to miss red-ball cricket until November
