Sophie Devine to retire from ODIs after ICC Women’s World Cup 2025

White Ferns ODI skipper Sophie Devine has announced that she will retire from the One Day Internationals after the conclusion of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. Notably, the Women’s mega event is scheduled to be played between September 30 and November 2 in India and Sri Lanka.

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The veteran cricketer has played 298 international games for the White Ferns and went on to become the team’s permanent skipper in 2020. Since then, she led the national team to a bronze medal victory at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup win in 2024.

Speaking about her numbers, Devine has accumulated 7421 runs with eight ODI centuries and a T20I ton, and she has pocketed 226 wickets with the ball in hand in her prolific international career.

“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,” Sophie Devine said after announcing her retirement. 

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“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,” she added.

Later, the New Zealand Cricket Head of Women’s High Performance Liz Green has opened up on Devine’s retirement, asserting that she had NZC’s support in full.

“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,” said Green.

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“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,” he added.

New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott Weenink has also heaped praise on Devine for her 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,” Scott said.

“Her legacy as one of the game’s greatest all-rounders and her commitment to nurturing the next generation make this a positive step for both her and the White Ferns,” he stated.

In the NZC statement, it was mentioned that Sophie Devine’s successor as captain would be decided ahead of the New Zealand home summer.

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