Devine Rallies White Ferns to 'Hiss and Roar' Past Australia in World Cup Opener
Sophie Devine, captain of the New Zealand women’s cricket team, is refusing to be weighed down by history as the White Ferns prepare to face Australia in their 2025 ODI World Cup opener. Despite a daunting 15-match losing streak against their trans-Tasman rivals, Devine believes the past holds no power at a World Cup.
“You haven’t beaten Australia in eight years,” a journalist reminded her at the pre-match press conference.
“Thanks for that stat,” Devine replied dryly, before brushing it aside. “At World Cups, it doesn’t matter. Records and previous results go out the window. It’s a great opportunity to take on the reigning champions first up. We love playing Australia. It’s sort of like our big sister.”
New Zealand’s record against Australia is undeniably bleak — 15 straight losses in completed ODIs. But with the World Cup’s league format offering each of the eight teams seven matches to book a semi-final berth, Devine emphasized consistency over singular glory.
“I don’t think we can necessarily focus on one game,” she said. “Every match is going to be incredibly important. Absolutely, we want to start with a hiss and a roar — come out strong and aggressive.”
The clash on Wednesday will test a White Ferns side that has played little 50-over cricket in recent months. But Devine is confident that her team’s recent form — including standout warm-up performances — has them ready for the high-scoring pitches of India.
“The middle order has been going considerably well,” she said, defending what many see as a vulnerable link in the batting chain. “Maddy Green and Izzy Gaze both scored hundreds in warm-ups. We’re aware of the challenges, but we’ve built nicely.”
Devine also made headlines with her sharp humour. When a reporter mistakenly asked about her “coming out of retirement,” she shot back with a laugh, “I haven’t retired. Are you saying I need to retire?”
The 35-year-old has confirmed she will retire from ODIs after this World Cup, but she’s determined to leave on a high. “It’s up to everyone. We can’t just rely on the top four. There will be crucial runs needed from the lower order too.”
Australia, led by vice-captain Tahlia McGrath in the pre-match media rounds, also played down the historical edge.
“We call it the friendly rivalry,” McGrath said. “We’ve played each other a lot in the last year, through bilateral series and franchise cricket. We know each other’s game really well.”
Like Devine, McGrath said that streaks like 15-0 are irrelevant in the context of a high-stakes World Cup.
“We go into this clash really confident and excited. At this level, every game is crucial.”
New Zealand face the toughest opening fixture of the tournament against seven-time champions Australia, but the prize on Wednesday night is just two points. With every team playing seven league matches, early momentum is vital — but far from decisive.
Still, for Devine and her White Ferns, there's no better way to begin their campaign than by shaking off the past — and taking down the champions with a roar.
Match Info:
Women's ODI World Cup 2025
Match: New Zealand vs Australia
Date: Wednesday, October 2
Venue: India (Exact location TBC)