Legendary all-rounder and New Zealand captain Sophie Devine has announced her retirement from ODI cricket.
Sophie Devine to retire from ODIs after 2025 World Cup
On June 17, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) issued a statement on Devine's retirement: “White Ferns ODI captain Sophie Devine will retire from one day internationals at the conclusion of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, and will therefore opt for a casual playing agreement for the 2025-26 season.”
The news comes a day ahead of New Zealand's announcement of centrally contracted players for the 2025-26 season. Devine welcomed the decision, saying, “I feel very fortunate to have NZC’s support in finding a solution that means I can still give to the White Ferns. It’s important that everyone knows I’m focused and dedicated to giving this group everything I can before I step away. I’m really excited by where this young group’s going and I’m looking forward to playing my part in the next six to nine months.”
Devine: Part of a bigger picture in terms of me starting to step away
At this point in time, she will continue to play T20I cricket, with a World Cup in that format set to be played in England and Wales in 2026. New Zealand are the defending champions, Devine having led them to victory in the 2024 edition. She also added via NZC that her decision to step away from ODIs was part of the 'bigger picture' of her retiring from all formats.
“It's a decision that's been made over a decent period of time,” she said. “I'm going to be stepping away from the ODI game at the conclusion of the 50-over World Cup later this year. It's obviously a decision that hasn't come lightly, and it's obviously part of a bigger picture in terms of me starting to step away from the game which is one that was always bound to happen.
“It's just been one that's come with considerable thought, and is always going to be really hard to do. But I feel like it's the right time for me to step away from this format of the game and then see where the rest of the career leads me.”
Appointed permanent captain of the New Zealand white-ball teams in 2020, Devine led the White Ferns in 49 ODIs, winning 17. As a player, her impact on New Zealand cricket cannot be understated.
Since debuting in 2006 at the age of 17, Devine has cemented her status as one of the world game's premier all-rounders in the 50-over format with 3,990 runs and 107 wickets to her name in 152 matches. At the time of her retirement, she is one of just three players to score over 3,500 runs and take 100 wickets in women's ODIs, alongside West Indies' Stafanie Taylor and Australia's Ellyse Perry.
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