New Zealand’s Sophie Devine Calls for Early Starts After Washouts

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine expressed her “extreme frustration” following consecutive washouts in Colombo during the ICC Women’s World Cup, urging organizers to consider earlier match starts to mitigate the impact of rain. The adverse weather has significantly affected the tournament, with four out of nine matches in Colombo already abandoned.

In a post-match presentation on October 18, 2025, Devine emphasized the disappointment of waiting four years for the World Cup, only to have rain dictate the outcomes. “You wait four years for a World Cup and to have rain play such a massive part in it is disappointing,” she remarked. She suggested that matches could be scheduled for earlier in the day, ideally around 10-11 AM, to avoid the typical afternoon downpours.

New Zealand’s latest washout against Pakistan left them fifth on the points table. Despite reducing Pakistan to 80 for 5, the match could not continue due to rain, resulting in shared points. “We thought we were in a decent position, we just needed the rain to hold off,” Devine noted. Her frustration was palpable as she recalled a recent game where South Africa managed to play after a five-hour rain delay.

The current scheduling of matches, with a standard start time of 3 PM local time, has drawn criticism. Four of the last five matches in Colombo have succumbed to weather disruptions. Devine’s plea for adjustments reflects the shared sentiment among players eager to compete.

Looking ahead, New Zealand faces a crucial period with two must-win matches against India and England as they aim for a spot in the semi-finals. “To be honest, it’s pretty flat,” she described the mood in the dressing room. “We just want to be playing cricket.” With their next game set for October 21 in Navi Mumbai, Devine acknowledged the importance of preparation and the mental readiness of her squad.

New Zealand’s campaign began with two losses in Indore, followed by a victory against Bangladesh in Guwahati. Their transition to Colombo has been challenging, yielding only 75 overs of play across two matches. Devine’s team is now focused on overcoming the weather-related setbacks to seize their opportunities in the remaining matches.

As the tournament continues, the frustration surrounding match cancellations highlights the need for strategic scheduling in international events. The players and fans alike hope for clearer skies and competitive cricket in the days ahead.