Sophie Devine has opted to withdraw from the T20Is and ODIs of the Sri Lanka women’s tour of New Zealand 2025 to prioritise her well-being.
Earlier Devine pulled out midway from the women’s Super Smash and also pulled out of the Women’s Premier League (WPL 2025) where she plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
In Sophie Devine’s absence, England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge who was traded from UP Warriorz, has opened the batting alongside Smriti Mandhana. She decided to take a break from cricket after recieving professional advice.
“We are fully supportive of Sophie’s decision not to take part in the upcoming series. Player wellbeing is our highest priority, and it’s important Sophie feels fit and well before returning to professional cricket,” Liz Green, the Head of Women’s High Performance, said in a NZC release.
WHITE FERNS captain Sophie Devine will not take part in the series against Sri Lanka in March as she continues to prioritise her well-being. Read more ⬇️ #NZvSL #CricketNation https://t.co/AnKsRS77CG
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 16, 2025
Devine played a crucial role in New Zealand’s T20 World Cup title for the first time when the tournament took place last year in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
After the side’s victory campaign, Sophie Devine played the three match ODI series on Indian soil, after which she represented the Perth Scorchers in the WBBL. She also played for Wellington where she went on to take five-wicket haul against Canterbury.
Wellington, with a stellar performance from Amelia Kerr went on to become champions after beating Otago by eight runs in the final at Basin Reserve.
New Zealand are set to play three ODIs against Sri Lanka from March 04 to 09 while the T20I series will take place from March 14 to 18. This fixtures mark New Zealand’s first T20I battle sicne their significant World Cup triumph under Sophie Devine’s leadership.
