New Zealand captain and allrounder Sophie Devine has decided to step away from cricket temporarily to focus on her well-being following professional advice. This break means she will miss the 2025 Women's Premier League (WPL), where she was a key part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), as well as the remainder of the ongoing Super Smash domestic season.
In a statement, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced that the decision on Devine’s playing future "will be announced in due course." NZC, Cricket Wellington, and RCB have expressed full support for her decision. The RCB is yet to announce a replacement.
Devine, who has been playing for Wellington in the Super Smash, recently delivered a match-winning performance with figures of 5 for 13 against Canterbury. In the tournament so far, she has scored 38 runs and taken eight wickets across five games.
Liz Green, NZC's head of women’s high-performance development, emphasized the importance of player well-being: "Sophie's health is our top priority. With excellent support from the New Zealand Cricket Players Association and our performance team, this decision was made in her best interest. We aim to ensure she takes a proper break, receives the care she needs, and returns to cricket fully fit."
Since helping New Zealand clinch the T20 World Cup in October 2024, Devine has had a packed schedule, featuring in ODIs against India, the Women’s Big Bash League for Perth Scorchers, and an ODI series against Australia in December.
A crucial part of RCB's 2024 WPL title-winning squad, Devine was retained ahead of the 2025 season. She contributed 136 runs and six wickets in ten matches during the 2024 campaign. RCB is set to begin their WPL 2025 season on February 15 against Gujarat Giants at the newly built BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
Updated on 27th January, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.