Deadpan Devine utterly relaxed ahead of another do-or-die encounter, saying ‘Thanks for not saying I’m old’.
NZ captain Sophie Devine has a signature deadpan style and even World Cup pressure hasn’t been able to dilute it.
The next two games were washed out after the first three games ended in two losses. Despite the fact that New Zealand’s World Cup campaign has taken a different turn, skipper Sophie Devine remained composed and responded to questions in her trademark deadpan manner at the press conference on the eve of a crucial match against India.
“I appreciate that you didn’t suggest I’m elderly. When asked how her nearly two decades of experience as an international cricket player may benefit her in Thursday’s high-pressure match, she replied, “I appreciate that, experienced is nice.”
Devine acknowledged that her team will be under pressure to perform in Mumbai in front of “99.9%” of India fans, despite the fact that New Zealand hasn’t had much playing time recently. She does, however, have “real empathy” for the hosts, who have drawn criticism after dropping their last three games.
“We’re really stepping towards that pressure,” Devine said. “In all honesty, I can’t begin to imagine the type of pressure that the Indian team is under. I know when we played at a home World Cup [in 2022], the pressure that we felt to perform in front of our home crowd was at times overwhelming. I can’t imagine what that’s like with a billion people tuned into the TV screens and the expectation and the weight that’s on their shoulders.”
“These are the moments that you want to be playing cricket in – a pretty much knockout game against India in India at a World Cup. We’re obviously under no illusions that India are still the favourites, without a doubt. And we will wear the underdog badge with pride, as Kiwis often do.”
Despite having home advantage, India’s win-loss record against New Zealand is the lowest of any opponent in the ODI World Cup, at 0.2. Is that a psychological advantage for New Zealand?
“Yeah, ask me after the game tomorrow because I think that’s generally the way it goes, isn’t it?” Devine quipped. “We can get confidence from the fact that we’ve played them in pressure situations before. But tomorrow’s a new game, everyone starts on zero.”