Injured Sophie Devine Ruled Out Of NZ-W vs EN-W 5th T20I. Check Details

Sophie Devine, the skipper of the New Zealand Women's cricket team, will be absent from the fifth and final T20I against England due to a quad injury sustained while bowling in the preceding match. New Zealand Cricket revealed on Thursday that a scan had confirmed a grade one quad strain, necessitating a brief rehabilitation period for Devine. Despite her setback, she will continue to be with the squad in Wellington, where both the fourth and fifth T20Is are scheduled, to undergo a tailored rehabilitation program. The decision regarding her availability for the upcoming three-match ODI series commencing on April 1 will be made following her rehabilitation progress.

To fill the void left by Devine's absence, New Zealand has called up Georgia Plimmer, who was previously with the New Zealand A squad engaged in a parallel series against England A. Plimmer's inclusion is poised to bolster the squad's depth and provide additional options for the team management.

This turn of events presents both challenges and opportunities for the New Zealand team as they navigate through the remainder of the series against England. While Devine's absence is undoubtedly a setback given her pivotal role as captain and key player, it also offers a chance for other members of the squad to step up and showcase their skills on the international stage.

The team management will be closely monitoring Devine's recovery process and making decisions accordingly to ensure her fitness and availability for future fixtures. In the meantime, the focus shifts to the remaining T20I and the impending ODI series, with the team aiming to maintain their competitive edge and secure positive results against the visiting England side.

"We're obviously disappointed for Sophie, but the focus is now to make her available for as much of the ODI series as possible. Sophie will be monitored over the next few days and that will give us a better idea of what her availability is before the first game on Monday," New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said.

"The ODI series is an important series for us with ICC ODI Championship points on the line so we're hopeful that Sophie will make a quick recovery," he added. 

As New Zealand prepares for the upcoming ODIs, there's a palpable desire to have Devine back in the lineup after conceding the T20I series with one match remaining. Devine's standout performances have been a beacon of hope, tallying 77 runs across two innings at a formidable strike rate of 150.98, while also snatching four crucial wickets.

Devine's absence, alongside Amelia Kerr, during the initial stages of the T20I series due to their participation in the Women's Premier League in India had left a notable void in the team. Plimmer and Mikaela Greig were drafted into the squad for the first T20I, filling the temporary gap left by the dynamic duo. Now, with the ODIs looming, New Zealand's eagerness to welcome back Devine underscores her invaluable contribution to the squad.