The New Zealander Sophie Devine will retire from ODIs after the World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka, which is set to be played later this year.
The 35-year-old is considered one of the most prolific all-rounders in women’s cricket, having amassed 3990 runs from 152 ODIs at an average of 31.66 with the help of eight centuries. She has also scored 3431 runs from 146 T20Is with one century.
In the bowling department, she has also picked 107 and 119 wickets in the ODIs and T20Is, respectively. However, Devine hasn’t played in any tests.
“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,” said Devine in a statement.
Sophie Devine’s statement came ahead of the announcement of the centrally contracted players by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Wednesday. She will remain available for T20I cricket on a ‘casual playing arrangement’ but will not be centrally contracted.
🗣️”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🏆 pic.twitter.com/QfxcpSdKcM
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) June 16, 2025
“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,” said Sophie Devine.
Earlier this year, Sophie Devine took a break from cricket to priortise her mental health in January. She will lead the team in the ODI World Cup in September.
She led the side to clinch bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and a maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup victory last year.
Meanwhile NZC’s head of women’s high performance Liz Green said Devine had the organisation’s full support.
“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,” Green said.
“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.”
Meanwhile NZC Executive Scott Weenink praised Sophie Devine’s contribution to the White Ferns.
“Sophie has been an extraordinary leader and ambassador for the WHITE FERNS. Supporting her move to a casual playing agreement will allow her to continue contributing to the WHITE FERNS environment,” he said.
New Zealand will begin their World Cup campaign against seven-times champions Australia on October 01 in Indore.
