As the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup draws near, kicking off on September 30, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine has openly named the teams she believes will be the toughest competitors: co-hosts India and Sri Lanka, alongside the formidable defending champions, Australia.
Fresh off their 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup triumph, the White Ferns are setting their sights on 50-over glory, hoping to replicate their 2000 success. This upcoming World Cup holds particular significance for Devine, who previously announced her intention to retire from the format after the tournament concludes.
In her recent ICC column, Devine reflected on the challenges ahead: “Every team will present a unique test, but we fully expect the defending champions, Australia, to be incredibly difficult to overcome. Kicking off the tournament by playing them will be an excellent benchmark for us. India, on their home turf, also poses a significant threat, given their passionate fan base and strong squad depth. And we’ve seen how powerful Sri Lanka can be when playing at home. These three nations will undoubtedly be our toughest encounters.”
Devine also detailed her team’s extensive preparations, which included a valuable two-week training camp in August at the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Academy in Chennai. Ten players, along with head coach Ben Sawyer and assistant coach Craig McMillan, attended this critical session.
Emphasizing their readiness for the challenging conditions, Devine stated, “Our team has dedicated a lot of effort to acclimatization, focusing on strategies that will thrive in Indian and Sri Lankan environments. The camp in India was incredibly beneficial, allowing some of our batters to gain first-hand experience of those unique conditions. A major part of our focus has also been on maintaining peak fitness to cope with what awaits us. Despite training through the cold New Zealand winter, we’re confident that our rigorous strength and conditioning work will allow us to trust our skills completely when we get there.”
Devine expressed genuine excitement about the blend of experienced players and emerging talents within the White Ferns squad, highlighting the changing dynamic within the team. “It’s quite an emotional realization,” she admitted, “but seeing the incredible young talent rising through our ranks makes me genuinely excited about our World Cup squad. Everyone has been working incredibly hard, which is wonderful to witness. Our younger players, like Eden Carson and Izzy Gaze, have truly come into their own after a couple of years with the White Ferns, and I can’t wait to see their impact on the tournament. Meanwhile, veterans such as Maddy Green have been exceptional, elevating their game significantly. Brooke Halliday is another crucial member, with her left-handed presence often creating difficulties for opponents. This tournament will truly showcase the fresh talent within New Zealand cricket as we strive to claim the title for the first time since 2000.”
Concluding her thoughts, Devine affirmed New Zealand’s enthusiasm for experiencing the rich culture of the subcontinent, all while maintaining a sharp focus on their World Cup performance. “India is always an extraordinary place for cricket,” she noted, “known for its incredibly passionate fans. Sri Lanka, too, is a fantastic, vibrant country that we’ve thoroughly enjoyed visiting in the past. We eagerly anticipate exploring different places, fully immersing ourselves in the local cultures, both on and off the field. We’ll certainly make time to enjoy the experience, but our primary goal is to perform our best, play exceptional cricket, and hopefully win over many new fans.”