Sophie Devine's Comeback Plan Could Reshape the WBBL

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-08-12

Sophie Devine has set her sights on the Women's Big Bash League for her return from injury, after a severe calf tear cut short her Hundred campaign with Welsh Fire. The New Zealand captain suffered the injury just four games into the tournament, forcing her to hand over leadership duties and watch the rest of the season from the sidelines. It's been a rough stretch for Devine, no doubt. But here's the thing about athletes like her: they don't stay down for long. And with the WBBL looming, she's got a clear target in mind. ### A Recovery Timeline That Works Devine's recovery timeline puts her on course to be fit in time for the WBBL, which begins on October 29. She has featured in all 11 editions of the tournament, spending her first five seasons with Adelaide Strikers before moving to Perth Scorchers for the last six. Doctors have told her the recovery will take between eight and 12 weeks, and she has described the injury as a grade 3C tear that requires a lengthy rehabilitation process. That's a serious injury, no question. But the timing isn't terrible. With the WBBL starting in late October, Devine has a realistic shot at being ready. And if there's one thing she's proven over the years, it's that she knows how to prepare. ### The End of an International Era Devine's injury came at a difficult point in her career. New Zealand had already crashed out of the T20 World Cup group stage in June, marking the end of her international career alongside team-mates Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu. She returned to action with Welsh Fire soon after, only for the calf injury to end her season prematurely. She called the setback frustrating but said she has largely avoided serious injuries throughout her career. Devine added that medical staff have described this type of injury as one that typically affects older athletes, and she wants to manage her recovery carefully so it does not become a recurring issue. She said the WBBL gives her a clear target and a chance to rebuild her fitness properly before returning to competitive cricket. Here's what I appreciate about Devine's approach: she's not rushing. She's not trying to be a hero. She's thinking long-term, which is exactly what you want to see from a veteran player. ### Young Talent Shines at Welsh Fire Welsh Fire finished the 2026 Hundred season with an inconsistent record. Devine said the team's performances varied sharply through the campaign, alternating between strong showings and poor ones with little consistency in between. Despite this, she pointed to several young players who impressed her across the campaign. She singled out spinner Sophia Smale, seamer Grace Potts, and allrounder Grace Thompson as players who stood out during the season. Devine said Potts' ability to bowl long spells in the powerplay stood out, both for her stamina and her control against batters. She also compared Thompson's technique and physical presence to Australia's Cam Green, calling her a player to watch in future seasons. That's high praise coming from someone with Devine's pedigree. And honestly, it's exciting to see the next generation coming through. ### Staying With the Squad Through Adversity Despite her injury, Devine remained with the Welsh Fire squad for the rest of the tournament rather than stepping away. Georgia Wareham took over as captain in her absence, and Devine praised her handling of the role, saying she wanted to stay and support the team through a difficult stretch. Devine, who joined Welsh Fire from Birmingham Phoenix as one of the tournament's highest earners, said she remains optimistic about the squad's long-term prospects if the core group stays together. She was speaking as part of her association with KP Snacks' Everyone In Fund, which supports the ECB's Cricket Cities programme. ### What This Means for the WBBL So what should we expect from Devine when she hits the field for the Scorchers? A few things come to mind: - She'll likely ease back in, focusing on her fitness rather than trying to do too much too soon - Her leadership and experience will be invaluable, especially for younger players - She'll want to prove she's still one of the best in the game If Devine can return at full strength, the Scorchers become a much more dangerous side. And for fans of women's cricket, that's a win for everyone. For more cricket news and updates, stay tuned to your favorite sports sources.