Last year, after New Zealand defeated India in a T20 World Cup game in Dubai, a conversation with Sophie Devine went as follows: “Devine, you seem to be picking really well versus spin”. “Oh! thank you,” she said in a lighthearted tone. And that was followed by a question on how she had negated the threat of Indian spinners.
That question cropped up in my mind while watching Devine’s stroke-filled hundred in New Zealand’s opening fixture of the 50-over World Cup against Australia, in Indore. Granted that Australia once more comfortably beat their Trans-Tasman rivals, but it doesn’t change the fact that it was an excellent innings from the New Zealand skipper while facing spin.
Over the years, Devine has gained a reputation for her power-hitting skills. However, it is crystal clear that there is more to her batting than tonking sixes. Just consider the 18th and 25th overs, bowled by Alana King and Ashleigh Gardner. While facing King’s leg-spin, she went right back in the crease to essay the square-cut and then drove one through long-off for a single. While being up against Gardner, she used her dancing shoes to loft one down the ground and then went right back to pull one for a single.
She was able to manoeuvre the ball into gaps as she picked the length early. If a player is confident enough to use the depth of the crease against a spinner, it helps in accumulating runs while facing long hops and shorter-length deliveries.
For New Zealand to make any impact in the tournament, they need Devine to put up consistent performances. By the looks of it, she is by far the best player of spin in the side. Of course, she can also bowl a few overs of seam-up as well.
Devine has stated that she will hang up her boots from ODI cricket after this World Cup. Incidentally, while New Zealand’s national anthem was played in Indore, one could notice a few tears rolling down her cheeks. It feels as if Devine is determined to leave a trail of memorable footprints in her final 50-over campaign for New Zealand.
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