White Ferns allrounder Sophie Devine said she’s happy to see how far women’s cricket has come after winning big in the Hundred auction.
Devine was signed by the Welsh Fire for $476,000, the joint-highest price of the night alongside Australian Beth Mooney, who will play for the Trent Rockets.
The former White Ferns captain was previously picked up for $389,700 by the Gujarat Titans in India’s Women’s Premier League.
“Yeah, certainly exceeded expectations by a fair stretch and I think the really cool thing for me is just to see where the women’s game’s gone,” Devine said.
“From back when I first started and you got paid 30 bucks for a weekend to some of the money that was getting thrown around, so look, I’m certainly really privileged and grateful for the opportunity and to be snapped up.
“But I think more importantly to see where the women’s game’s got to, it’s hard to believe that it’s got to this point and it’s only going to continue to get better.”
Sophie Devine was picked up for $476,000 by the Welsh Fire in the Hundred auction. Photo / Photosport
Ten players secured contracts in the Hundred auction worth more than $229,000, significantly higher than the competition’s highest salary five years ago of $34,000.
“I’m really, really grateful and humbled,” Devine said, “I’m sure I’ve already had about five or six people come up to me saying it’s my shout for the rest of my life.
“I think it’s it’s all good, but for me it’s a really proud moment for the women’s game.”
The allrounder returns to the White Ferns squad for this month’s T20 series against South Africa, her first return to the side since the World Cup in India last October.
Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer and Flora Devonshire also return to the squad after they were all unavailable for the recent series against Zimbabwe.
The five-match series, which includes double-headers with the Black Caps and Proteas, starts on Sunday in Mount Maunganui.
