Sophie Devine, the NZ T20I skipper, will relinquish her role post World Cup to nurture new leaders as she continues to lead the ODI side.
Sophie Devine, the current New Zealand T20I captain, has announced her decision to step down from the role following the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE. While she will continue leading the ODI side, Devine believes it is the right time to alleviate some workload and focus on mentoring the next generation of leaders within the team. Devine, with significant experience of captaining New Zealand in 56 T20Is, expressed her pride in leading the White Ferns in both formats but acknowledged the additional challenges that come with captaincy.
Looking ahead, the Women’s ODI World Cup scheduled for next year in India will be a significant event for New Zealand. Devine’s choice to relinquish T20 captaincy aims to shift her focus towards enhancing her performance on the field and guiding emerging leaders in the team. While Devine remains committed to leading the ODI squad, she recognizes the importance of providing opportunities for future leaders to grow.
Ben Swayer, the head coach, lauded Devine’s leadership qualities and her invaluable contributions to the team’s success. Despite the difficulty of the decision, Swayer expressed his full support for Devine’s choice, emphasizing her continuing influence within the team. As Devine recuperates from a foot injury in preparation for New Zealand’s upcoming T20I series in Australia, the team is gearing up for the World Cup, with the squad announcement scheduled for September 10.
New Zealand is yet to announce Devine’s successor as the T20I captain, keeping the anticipation high for the team’s future leadership dynamics. Following the World Cup, New Zealand’s next T20I series is set for March against Sri Lanka, marking a new chapter for the team under new leadership.
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