Visakhapatnam, Oct 26 (NationPress) New Zealand's captain Sophie Devine expressed her desire for a triumphant exit in her last ODI match, but recognized that the outcome fell short of her expectations, as her team was defeated by England by eight wickets in the concluding match of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup.

On Sunday, Sophie, aged 36, participated in her 159th and final ODI at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam, where she scored 23 runs off 35 balls and took one wicket. Following England's successful chase of 169 runs, she was honored with a guard of honour from players and staff of both teams.

"I’m quite disappointed, to be honest. While I don't want to center this on myself, I genuinely wished to conclude on a high note, and today’s performance wasn’t that. Kudos to England; this isn’t how we envisioned our tournament concluding, but life has greater priorities, and we will move forward," stated Sophie during the post-match presentation.

Sophie made her ODI debut in 2006 against Australia and ended her career in this format with a total of 4,279 runs, which includes nine centuries. Additionally, she secured 111 wickets through her seam bowling. Notably, she is the sole player from New Zealand and the third overall to achieve the milestone of scoring over 4000 runs while also taking more than 100 wickets in ODIs.

"I actually didn’t shed as many tears as I anticipated. There were a few during the anthem, but announcing my retirement early allowed me to process my emotions. Speaking with my support system back home helped me focus on enjoying today—returning to the core reasons I started playing 19 years ago: to share the game with my friends," Sophie shared.

"Although the outcome wasn't favorable, it was never just about that for me. It was about concluding this journey alongside my teammates. It was special to finish with Suzie Bates bowling at the other end; I had to orchestrate that a bit, but sharing this moment with her was truly memorable. We’ll take some time in the locker room tonight to reflect, share laughs, and celebrate; I feel incredibly fortunate to have made this my career for 19 years," Sophie added.

Regarding her long-term teammates, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu, Sophie remarked, "No, they’ve completely closed that chapter, so I’m uncertain. They kind of left me to navigate this alone. However, both of them could continue for many more years. It's entirely their choice, and I stand by their decisions."

"Both of these players have been pivotal in my career, and I consider myself lucky to call them my best friends. Whenever they decide to step away, I’ll be there cheering for them from the sidelines," she added.

Sophie, who guided New Zealand to T20 World Cup success last year in Dubai, also addressed the upcoming generation of players. "It's all about confidence and belief. We discussed this after our World Cup victory last year—understanding that we are capable of competing at this level, and when we play our best cricket, we can defeat any side globally. We just need to maintain that belief," she noted.

"I’m genuinely excited about the emerging talent in the team, the youthful energy and enthusiasm. They’re already giving me a run for my money, which is a bit concerning, but their potential for growth is immense. For me, it’s about having self-confidence and recognizing that their best performances are good enough," she added.

Reflecting on the evolution of women’s cricket, Sophie stated, "It’s remarkable to witness the advancements in the women’s game. Playing alongside my peers years ago, the sport was vastly different. Now, with increased investment, resources, and opportunities, it’s nearly unrecognizable. The future possibilities for the game excite me, and I intend to be a significant advocate for women's sports on a global scale."

"As professional athletes, we are evaluated based on our performances, but it's so much more than that. I am grateful to everyone who attended today; I feel immensely blessed to have participated in this extraordinary game—but I’m not entirely finished yet, so I’ll likely be around to keep people on their toes," she concluded.

-–IANS