NZ Captain Devine Praises Down’s Comeback after Childbirth
England will use the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand to fine-tune their preparations for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year. Heather Knight suggests the XIs will be more experimental than usual in home conditions to establish better role clarity ahead of the ICC tournament.
The first engagement is an ODI series, which begins at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday. The five-match T20I series that follows offers more suitable preparation for the low, turning pitches that await in October on the subcontinent. However, with the 50-over leg separate from the ICC Women’s Championship, England have scope to try different things during the initial three matches of this White Ferns tour.
“What she’s been able to achieve has been incredible,” said Devine, praising Down’s professionalism and the team’s efforts to make her feel comfortable.
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine believes her team can cause an upset. Wednesday will be their first international fixture since the visit of England in March and April. Though the finale was a consolation win in the third ODI at Hamilton, led by Devine’s unbeaten 100, the 34-year-old feels the introspection that followed, along with three gruelling training camps, has them in good stead to exact some form of revenge.
Devine also championed White Ferns opening batter Lauren Down, who will earn her first international cap since December 2022 after giving birth to her daughter, Ruby, in January.
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