Sophie Devine

Sophie Frances Monique Devine is one of the most revered names in international cricket. Devine opens the batting for New Zealand and loves getting off the block as aggressively as possible. Devine is also amazing with the ball as well.

During her school days, Devine used to play cricket and field hockey too. She went on to play both sports for New Zealand. As a kid, she wanted to be an All Blacks but destiny had different plans for Devine. During her college, she was awarded the “wicket” award for bagging the most number of wickets, previously won by Mark Gillespie, hence she decided to carry on with cricket.

She made her first-class debut as a 14-year kid in 2003, and within three years, she was playing at the highest level. As a 17-year-old teenager, Devine came into the national set-up as a pure right-arm medium bowler who could only bat at the Number 11. However, she worked as a weak link and scored a couple of half-centuries against Australia and England in 2010, to earn the badge of an all-rounder. 

Her breakthrough moment came during the 2013 World Cup when the all-rounder scored her maiden ton against South Africa and since then she hasn’t dropped a beat. As her career progressed, Devine started moving up the order for good. In 2019, she scored 769 WBBL runs for Adelaide Strikers and helped the club reach the final for the first time. 

In January 2021, ICC named the New Zealander in the T20I Team of the Decade for her marvellous performance in the last decade or so. In February, she also scored the fastest T20 by a female cricketer, during a domestic match. During the very game, Devine showed her class when a six of her’s kissed a little girl’s cheek, she straightaway crossed the fence to check and paid a generous visit to the girl. 

Devine is truly an ambassador for the game in New Zealand and around the globe. Over the years, she has been consistently performing for the White Ferns and been a vital pillar in their success. 

(As of March 2021)