Sophie Devine's Comeback Plan After a Brutal Calf Tear

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-08-12

Sophie Devine has set her sights on the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) for her return to action, 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, to say the least. But if there's one thing we know about her, it's that she doesn't stay down for long. Let's break down what happened, what's next, and why her recovery timeline could be a game-changer for Perth Scorchers. ### The Injury That Changed Everything 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 doubt about it. A grade 3C tear means the muscle has completely torn, and in some cases, it can even pull away from the tendon. It's the kind of setback that would end most seasons, but Devine isn't most players. ### A Career at a Crossroads 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. Talk about a brutal year. She went from representing her country to watching from the sidelines in a matter of weeks. But here's the thing about Devine: she's never been one to wallow in self-pity. 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. ### The Silver Lining: Welsh Fire's Young Guns 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. - **Sophia Smale**: A crafty spinner who kept batters guessing all season. - **Grace Potts**: A seamer with serious stamina and control, especially in the powerplay. - **Grace Thompson**: An allrounder with a technique that reminds you of Australia's Cam Green. 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 who's seen the best in the world up close. If these young players can build on this season, Welsh Fire could be a force to reckon with sooner rather than later. ### Staying for the Team 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. That kind of leadership speaks volumes. She could have easily gone home to recover, but instead, she chose to be there for her teammates. 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's Next for Devine? So, what does this mean for the WBBL? If Devine's recovery goes as planned, she'll be back on the field just in time for the tournament's opening matches. Perth Scorchers fans will be hoping she hits the ground running, because when she's at her best, she can change a game single-handedly. It's going to be a long road back, but if anyone can do it, it's Sophie Devine. She's been through the wringer this year, but she's still standing, still fighting, and still aiming for greatness.