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RNZ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
King's Birthday Honours: 'Wild' how far women's cricket has come
White Ferns captain Sophie Devine. Photo: Marty Melville White Ferns captain Sophie Devine has witnessed the dramatic increase in opportunities afforded to female cricketers, but has also seen the downsides of a packed schedule. Devine has been reflecting on her career since being recognised in the King's Birthday Honours for services to cricket , which she describes as a huge honour. Devine was selected for the White Ferns in 2006 at age 17 and has become one of the sports most dominant players. Last year she led the White Ferns to their maiden T20 World Cup title in the United Arab Emirates. The 35-year-old holds a number of records including becoming the first cricketer to score five consecutive 50-plus scores in T20's in the 2019/2020 season. The gains that female cricketers have made over the last decade have been extraordinary, given that back in 2014 the most a White Fern could earn was around $25,000 a year. The highest-ranked White Fern, who also plays a full domestic season, has the potential now to earn around $180,000. By the time New Zealand's best female cricketer Amelia Kerr gets paid to play in leagues around the world, including the lucrative WPL in India, she's pulling in half a million dollars a year. Devine said when she started out, she could never have imagined the opportunities which are now on offer in women's cricket. Sophie Devine playing for the White Ferns in 2006. Photo: PHOTOSPORT "It's been unbelievable, even the last five or six years it's gone to a completely another level. I always wished that we would be able to be full-time professionals but to see the money that's available now through some of these franchise competitions and the way that cricket boards around the world are starting to really invest in the women's game. I guess I'm most excited for what the future holds in terms of these youngsters coming through," Devine said. "When I first started playing for the White Ferns in 2006 I thought it was pretty cool that I got a bit of lunch money and things paid for in terms of flights and accommodation. "It's still got a long way to go ...it's part of the journey I think in terms of equal pay and things like that but it's been pretty wild to think about how far it has come." Since the start of the franchise cricket era, top players like Devine have also been sought after in competitions like Australia's Big Bash League and India's WPL. Increased opportunities have led to heavy workloads. "Last year after winning the T20 World Cup, less than 48 hours later we were on a plane to India and playing in a series a couple of days later and the Australian men were in a similar position a couple of years ago as well. "We know that's part of the job and why you get paid what you do ...it's a serious conversation that needs to be had in terms of the scheduling because it's only going to get busier. Hopefully we can manage it so that there are opportunities to allow players to get breaks, particularly young ones. I think of Melie Kerr, who could have another 10-15 year international career and you don't want to see her end her career early because she's burnt out. "Important that players take the opportunity to step away when they need to and not get sucked into the vacuum that can be not just international cricket but franchise cricket as well. You don't want to feel like you're missing out but your mind and body are your tools of your trade so it's a really important conversation that needs to be had." Devine took a two-month break from cricket earlier this year to give her own mind and body a rest, the second time she's taken a break in her career to prioritise her well-being. Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine celebrate last year's World Cup win. Photo: PHOTOSPORT She is excited about joining up with the White Ferns in camp in Christchurch this week, as the side starts its journey towards another pinnacle event, the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in India later this year. Pinnacle events excite her as much as they did when she first joined the White Ferns. "Absolutely they do, I guess being a little bit older and wiser it's how do you manage those emotions and energy going into that because those pinnacle events are so big and they seem to roll around every year. I think for me it's about how do I manage my expectations and my energy levels." Sport has been a huge part of Devine's life and admits the thought of retirement scares her a little. "Yes, in all honesty, that's probably something I've been toying with for the last 12 months or so and what does that look like, trying to make that transition as smooth as possible. It's a pretty scary concept for a lot of athletes but I've had fantastic support. It's going to be very different to what I've done for over half of my life, which is travelling the world playing cricket, which I've been very fortunate to do." Devine knows that in retirement she wants to stay involved in sport. "There's so many more opportunities opening up in the women's game whether that's coaching, commentating, being involved in the media side of things. Fingers crossed I can stay involved in some way, I certainly feel I've got a lot to give back."
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sutherland special secures Aussies another whitewash
Yet another Annabel Sutherland special ensured Australia completed a clean sweep of World Cup winners New Zealand in the third Twenty20 on Wednesday. The Kiwis fought back during their pursuit of Australia's 4-180 courtesy of a quick-fire 99-run stand between Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green. After being 4-54, Green (62 off 35) and Kerr (66 off 47) smashed New Zealand to 5-153 in the 18th over, needing an achievable 28 off 14 balls. But Green's departure ahead of Sutherland's final over opened the door for the Aussie superstar to ice the game. Sutherland removed Jess Kerr and Polly Inglis in successive balls before taking the crucial wicket of Amelia Kerr with the final ball of her spell. The Belinda Clark Medal winner (4-35 off four) had been expensive prior to that over but fought back to all but guarantee the eight-run victory. The Aussies had 4-180 to defend after emerging star Georgia Voll made New Zealand pay for its dropped chances. The opener made an early statement, hitting her second ball for six, before she was dropped five times. The 21-year-old made the Kiwis pay the ultimate price, going on to strike a Twenty20 career-best 75. Voll packed eight fours and one six into her 57-ball stay which was supported by a powerful cameo from champion Ellyse Perry (32no from just 19) late in the innings. Voll and the Aussies showed a particular liking for both Kerr sisters, hitting 80 runs in the star duo's eight overs. The series sweep follows the Aussies' historic 16-0 Ashes whitewash of England in January.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Australia survive Kerr heroics to complete NZ whitewash
Australia have recorded a ninth-straight Twenty20 win against New Zealand, surviving an Amelia Kerr-inspired chase to complete an eight-run victory in Wellington. The reigning T20 world champions after a shock triumph at last year's tournament in the UAE, New Zealand were humbled by their nemesis once again in a 3-0 whitewash. Chasing Australia's imposing 4-180 at Sky Stadium on Wednesday, New Zealand managed 8-172 in an innings highlighted by star allrounder Amelia Kerr's impressive 66. Kerr and Maddy Green (62) threatened to pull off New Zealand's highest successful run chase in T20s when they came together in trouble at 4-54. The pair put on a rollicking 99-run stand, before Green was inexplicably run-out by a brilliant Georgia Wareham throw when the hosts had gained all the momentum. Reigning Belinda Clark Award-winner Annabel Sutherland was smashed by Kerr for a four off the first ball of the 19th over. But Sutherland hit back in dramatic fashion, claiming three wickets in four balls to finish the over with figures of 4-35. Australia have not lost to New Zealand in the shortest format of the game since March 30, 2021. Earlier, emerging star Georgia Voll blasted her highest Twenty20 score as she and fellow opener Beth Mooney (21) again led the way. Voll whacked 75 from 57 balls, surpassing her previous best of 50, before she was bowled by New Zealand captain Suzie Bates. The opening pair registered their third-straight stand of more than 50 after dominating in Auckland and Tauranga. The 21-year-old rode her luck during the innings, dropped three times by the sloppy hosts. "I think I'm going to head to the lotto store and buy one (a ticket) after this game," Voll said. "It was nice to be able to come out the other side, battle a little bit, but to get us in a good position was pleasing." Skipper Suz with the golden arm! Georgia Voll (75) is bowled by Suzie Bates. Follow LIVE and free in NZ on TVNZ 1 & TVNZ +📺 and @SportNationNZ 📻 Live scoring | #NZvAUS #CricketNation — WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) March 26, 2025 Voll has made a huge impact since making her Australian debut last December, filling in at the top of the order for injured captain Alyssa Healy. Star allrounder Ellyse Perry hit an unbeaten 32 to power Australia to an imposing total once Voll was dismissed in the 15th over. Bates, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair and Sophie Devine all took one wicket each for New Zealand. Devine, who has only recently returned to cricket following a mental health break, was visibly emotional during the anthem before the match. Quick Darcie Brown flew back to Australia for family reasons, with veteran Megan Schutt replacing her in the XI.
BBC News
15-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
MI's Sciver-Brunt & Kerr top WPL stats
The 2025 Women's Premier League is over with Mumbai Indians lifting the trophy for a second time after their victory over Delhi Sciver-Brunt won the orange cap for the most runs in the tournament, while MI team-mate Amelia Kerr clinched the purple cap for the most wickets in a double for the are the top five performers with bat and ball in the third edition of the WPL. Top run-scorers in 2025 WPLNat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians) - 523 runsEllyse Perry (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) - 372Hayley Matthews (Mumbai Indians) - 307Shafali Verma (Delhi Capitals) - 304Harmanpreet Kaur (Mumabi Indians) - 302Top wicket-takers in 2025 WPLAmelia Kerr (Mumbai Indians) - 18 wicketsHayley Matthews (Mumbai Indians) - 18Jess Jonasssen (Delhi Capitals) - 13Georgia Wareham (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) - 12Nat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians) - 12
Reuters
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
West Indies captain Matthews applauds T20 leagues for bolstering women's game
BENGALURU, March 12 (Reuters) - Twenty20 leagues have transformed women's cricket from a sport that once relied on public support for survival into an appealing spectacle, according to West Indies white-ball captain Hayley Matthews. The all-rounder, who shot to fame in the West Indies' 2016 T20 World Cup triumph, said T20 leagues like the Women's Premier League (WPL) in India have fostered global exposure and helped develop the women's game. "I feel like once upon a time, women's cricket was probably like, 'Come and watch the game to support the women,' whereas now I feel like we have a product that's entertaining and we have these skills that people want to see us play cricket," Matthews told Reuters. "I think just getting the opportunity to play these leagues and have all the games televised and have people watching and supporting is naturally going to help the game to grow. "There's plenty of opportunities for women to grow in cricket and I think competitions like the WPL give a platform for the game to grow. It introduces people to the game... shows the level of skill that we have in women's cricket." Matthews has claimed the joint most wickets (14) in the ongoing WPL season alongside Mumbai Indians teammate Amelia Kerr. Mumbai will compete in the WPL eliminator against Gujarat Giants on Thursday after they were denied top spot in the table following their 11-run defeat by Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday. "I feel like ourselves along with DC (Delhi) are ready to look at these setups (playoffs). We have a really good balance of international players as well as the local Indian players too," Matthews said. "We get contributions from so many different participants in the team like Nat (Sciver-Brunt), Melie (Amelia Kerr), Shab (Shabnim Ismail), myself, being able to step up as internationals. "When you look at a captain like Harmanpreet (Kaur), even the young players, like Sanskriti Gupta that have come in this year, have been able to make massive impacts." Matthews also harbours ambitions of leading the West Indies to a World Cup triumph, which they narrowly missed last year after an eight-run defeat to New Zealand in the T20 World Cup semi-final. But the 26-year-old has her sights firmly set on test cricket with West Indies set to mark their return to the red-ball format. West Indies, who made their red-ball debut in 1976 and played their last test in 2004 against Pakistan, will host Australia in a one-off test next year. Their return to test cricket will then continue with a home series against England in 2027, their first encounter since 1979, followed by an away test in South Africa in 2028. "I feel test cricket is the pinnacle of cricket. It's called test cricket for a reason. It's a very challenging format of the game," Matthews said. "I can't wait for the opportunity to go there and put on some whites and experience what that format is like."
