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A Determined Road to Recovery
Sophie Devine has faced a difficult period, with her recent cricket commitments being hampered by an unfortunate physical setback. However, with characteristic resilience, the veteran cricketer is now looking forward, as Devine targets WBBL for injury comeback. The injury, a severe grade 3C calf tear, brought a premature end to her time in The Hundred while captaining the Welsh Fire, forcing her into an intensive rehabilitation program.
The 36-year-old all-rounder, who has been a constant presence in professional leagues globally, has faced a recovery timeline of eight to 12 weeks. Reflecting on the setback, Devine acknowledged the frustration of the situation, noting that she has historically been fortunate to avoid major injuries throughout her career. Now, she is viewing this period as a vital opportunity to recondition her body and ensure she can maintain her performance levels for the next few years.
“It is a decent rehab,” Devine explained. “Looking at between eight to 12 weeks, so targeting Big Bash is the next thing for me, which is a really good goal, making sure that I get this right.” She emphasized the importance of patience, acknowledging advice from medical professionals that this specific type of injury requires careful management to prevent recurrence.
Supporting the Welsh Fire
Despite being unable to take the field for the remainder of the Welsh Fire’s campaign, Devine has remained with the squad, offering her experience to the team and supporting temporary captain Georgia Wareham. Devine praised the leadership shown by Wareham and expressed her gratitude to the club for allowing her to remain involved in the team environment during her recovery.
Devine remains optimistic about the future of the Welsh Fire, citing the impressive development of younger players within the squad. She highlighted the contributions of Sophia Smale, whose spin bowling has proven highly effective, and Grace Potts, whose stamina and powerplay bowling have been standout features of the season. She also pointed to the potential of Grace Thompson, comparing the young all-rounder’s technique to Australian star Cameron Green.
Looking to the Future
Reflecting on the 2026 season, Devine noted that while the Fire experienced inconsistencies, there were flashes of brilliance that suggest a bright future. She remains excited about the prospect of building a consistent core group capable of achieving success in the coming years.
As she focuses on her rehabilitation, Devine is also using her platform to support community initiatives. She is currently involved with KP Snacks’ ‘Everyone In Fund,’ which works alongside the ECB’s Cricket Cities programme to remove barriers and increase accessibility to the sport. By focusing on her health and continuing to contribute to the cricketing community, Devine remains a pivotal figure in the women’s game as she prepares for her return to the pitch in the upcoming WBBL season.
KP Snacks, Official Partner of The Hundred, have launched the Everyone In Fund, in support of the ECB’s Cricket Cities programme.