New Zealand Captain Sophie Devine To Retire From ODIs After 2025 World Cup

New Zealand’s legendary skipper, Sophie Devine, has announced her decision to retire from ODIs following the 2025 Women’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, later this year. While the veteran all-rounder has decided to step away from the 50-over format, she will remain available for T20Is under a casual playing agreement.

The 35-year-old made her ODI debut in 2006 as a 17-year-old, and nearly two decades later, she is among New Zealand’s all-time greats. With 152 ODI appearances to her name, she is the second-most capped player for New Zealand, only behind Suzie Bates. Devine has scored 3990 runs, including eight centuries, and taken 107 wickets, ranking second in both categories among her countrywomen.

“It feels like the right time for me to start stepping away. 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 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 said on her decision.

🗣️”It’s a decision that has come with considerable thought and was always going to be really hard to do.” @sophdevine77 on her decision to retire from ODI cricket after the @cricketworldcup🏆

03:19 AM · Jun 17, 2025

Sophie’s given nearly 20 years of service to the White Ferns: Liz Green

Having led the team since 2020, Devine played an important role in guiding a young squad. Under her leadership, the White Ferns lifted their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title last year. However, in ODIs, she ha not been able to progress the White Ferns beyond the group stage in the previous two World Cups. Meanwhile, the New Zealand Cricket has supported her decision, mentioning her immense contributions to this game and the country.

“Sophie’s given nearly 20 years of service to the White Ferns, and NZC is fully supportive of her quest to find more balance at this stage in her career. We’re pleased to be able to reach an agreement that means she can continue to be involved with the White Ferns on a case-by-case basis, whilst opening up the opportunity for another player to be contracted in full,” said Liz Green, NZC Head of Women’s High Performance.

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