The fact that I waited half an hour after play ended in the Brave v Invincibles match on Monday to speak to Sophie Devine is typical of the player and the person. How did she spend those 30 minutes? Signing autographs and taking selfies with kids on the boundary at the Utilita Bowl. In the end, she had to be physically ushered away by security as they geared up for the men’s match.
Earlier this year Devine took a mental health break, missing out on the WPL and the second part of the New Zealand domestic season, presumably partly out of sheer exhaustion caused by simultaneously captaining her country and being her side’s best player. Now, she is back out there and – as she says – “enjoying herself” again.
“It’s pretty obvious that I’m nearing the end of my career, and for me, it’s being as happy as possible out on the cricket field,” she says.
What’s keeping her motivated these days? Unsurprisingly, she isn’t focused on personal milestones. “Giving to others has been a massive focus for me,” she says. “I want to help and encourage anyone and everyone, wherever they’re from. It’s about improving the standard of the game, because there’s so many talented kids out there now.”
She cites England and Southern Brave’s 20-year-old all-rounder Freya Kemp as an example: “She is going to be a freak. To be able to rub shoulders with her is what’s motivating me at the moment.”
After a few years spent with Birmingham Phoenix, Devine was picked up by Brave in this year’s Hundred draft and is thus far proving something of a lucky charm – largely with the ball, having taken 9 wickets so far opening up alongside Lauren Bell.
In Monday’s game, she bowled a magic ball which curled away from Meg Lanning and hit the very top of her off-stump, beginning the rout which saw Brave beat Invincibles by 89 runs. Brave’s bowling coach Jenny Gunn was apparently so delighted with the Lanning dismissal that she played the delivery on loop in the dressing room when the players came off the pitch.
“Playing around the world in different competitions you have to fill different roles, and here when we’ve opted to only have a couple of seamers, responsibility falls on me and Belly. I’m enjoying that,” Devine says.
“And I’ve certainly enjoyed my time here at the Brave,” she adds. “Everyone knows how well Lottie [Charlotte Edwards] has set this club up – it’s evident in the way that it’s run.” The 2023 winners are already in pole position to qualify for this year’s final, with five wins in five matches and (according to our Alligator analysis) a 99% chance of reaching at least the Eliminator stage.
After that, Devine heads to the UAE to warm-up for the 50-over World Cup in India – a tournament which she has already said will be her last in the ODI format. “It’s a big weight off the shoulders,” she admits. “That was the whole point behind announcing my retirement, was to get it out there nice and early, so I don’t distract from the group and the team being at the World Cup.”
“I’ve always been strong on my feelings of, the team comes first, personal milestones are secondary. I’m enjoying every moment because I know my time’s coming to an end soon.”
And the rest of us will continue to enjoy every moment of watching her, for as long as we can.
CRICKETher 