Sophie Devine retires from ODIs after World Cup exit

Sophie Devine played her 159th and final One-Day International on Sunday in Visakhapatnam, bringing to a close a 19-year ODI career as New Zealand’s captain and one of the game’s leading allrounders. Devine announced her retirement from the format after England wrapped up an eight-wicket win at the ACAVDCA Stadium, a match that also marked the end of New Zealand’s rain-disrupted campaign at the Women’s World Cup.

England chased 169 to win, with Devine contributing 23 off 35 balls and taking one wicket. Players and support staff from both sides formed a guard of honour as she left the field. At the postmatch presentation she said she had hoped for a winning farewell but accepted the result, adding that announcing her retirement earlier had given her time to process the emotions.

New Zealand’s early exit was confirmed earlier in the tournament when they lost to India by 53 runs on October 23 in Navi Mumbai under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. India posted 340 for three before rain reduced New Zealand’s chase to 325 from 44 overs. Devine praised India’s batting and singled out teammates Brooke Halliday and Izzy Gaze for strong performances, saying the squad felt "incredibly...