Sophie Devine is preparing to bring down the curtain on a remarkable international career at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, but the New Zealand all-rounder has one lingering wish – to see Test cricket return for the White Ferns.
Set to retire at the global tournament in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, she reflected on a career spanning two decades, during which she amassed nearly 8,000 runs and claimed 239 wickets across ODIs and T20Is. Despite those achievements, the absence of Test cricket remains a notable gap.
A Career Without the Longest Format
Devine will step away from international cricket alongside fellow stalwarts Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu, but her biggest regret is not having had the opportunity to play in the longest format.
New Zealand Women last featured in a Test match in August 2004, when they drew against England at Scarborough. Since then, the format has not been part of the team’s schedule.
“It just hasn’t been a priority for New Zealand cricket,” Devine said. “I’ll walk away from the game having not played one, but it’s really cool to see more countries are taking up that opportunity to play Test cricket.”
Growing Momentum for Women’s Tests
The landscape of women’s Test cricket has begun to shift. While only a handful of matches were played between 2010 and 2020, the last five years have seen an increase in fixtures involving teams such as England, Australia, India and South Africa.
Devine believes a return to Tests requires careful preparation and long-term planning rather than a sudden reintroduction.
“You can’t just rock up and play a four-day or five-day women’s Test, there’s obviously a lot of work that has to go into that,” she explained. “None of us has played multi-day cricket. Well, I have, but that was when I was in high school or playing club cricket 20 or 25 years ago. For me, it’s probably the ultimate form of the game.”
Focus Shifts to World Cup Campaign
Before her international farewell, Devine will be part of New Zealand’s white-ball tour of England from May 10 to May 25, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. The team will then turn its attention to defending their 2024 T20 World Cup title under new captain Amelia Kerr.
New Zealand claimed that title by defeating South Africa by 32 runs in Dubai, with Devine leading the side at the time. Now, under Kerr’s leadership, expectations remain high heading into the 2026 edition.
Leadership Transition and Team Growth
Devine acknowledged Kerr’s impact since taking over the captaincy, even joking about the timing of the transition.
“Maybe I should have handed over the captaincy much sooner, had I known what it would do for her game.”
She also expressed confidence in the squad’s development, suggesting the team is in a stronger position than it was during the previous World Cup cycle.
“We’re in a better place than we were in ‘24,” she said, while noting that selecting the playing XI for the tournament will be a challenging task.
Advocacy Beyond the Field
Beyond her on-field contributions, Devine has been a prominent voice in mental health awareness. She has previously taken breaks from the game and spoken openly about her experiences, helping to normalise conversations around athlete wellbeing.
“There certainly does seem to be a bit more acceptance with athletes sharing their stories and the mental health battles that people face,” she said. “Sometimes there’s a stigma attached to mental health, especially with athletes, but hopefully I’ve been part of that acceptance and willingness to talk and share. Would I have liked to have not gone through it? Absolutely. But I think it’s part of who I am and it’s helped me grow and learn and become who I am today.”
Looking Ahead
As Devine prepares for her final international tournament, she also reflected on the evolution of the women’s game, from modest match fees early in her career to significant opportunities in franchise cricket.
She confirmed her intention to continue playing in leagues around the world after retirement, viewing it as an exciting phase ahead.
“It’s really exciting. And it’s only going to get bigger and better.”
While her international journey is nearing its end, Devine’s call for the return of Test cricket leaves a lasting message. For her, the longest format remains the ultimate challenge – one she hopes future generations of White Ferns will get the chance to embrace.
