New Zealand’s star all-rounder Sophie Devine will step down as captain of the T20I team after the T20 World Cup in October to focus on her playing role and nurture future leaders in the format.
Devine, who has been a key figure in New Zealand women’s cricket since her debut in 2006, has scored 3,268 runs in 135 T20Is. She took over the T20I captaincy in 2020, succeeding Amy Satterthwaite, and led the team in 56 matches.
“I’m very proud to have had the privilege to captain the White Ferns in both formats. Stepping away from the T20 captaincy will take a bit off my plate so I can focus more of my energy on my playing role and nurturing the future leaders,” Devine said in a statement.
Currently recovering from a foot injury ahead of the T20 World Cup, Devine would continue playing for the White Ferns in both the white-ball formats.
“I’m not ready to give up ODI captaincy just yet. But I won’t be around forever, so I think stepping away from captaining one format at a time gives the next leaders time to find their feet,” Devine said.
The 15-member New Zealand squad for the upcoming women’s T20 World Cup will be announced on September 10.
