Growing up, Devine balanced the two sports across the seasons, with a slight leaning towards cricket where she found notable success from a young age.
She started young; with her brother, she used a concrete roller to create a pitch on the lawn of their Porirua home.
She was selected for the Wellington Blaze as a 14-year-old and made her international debut three years later. A genuine all-rounder - capable of hurling down 115km/h deliveries and a punishing middle order batsman - she racked up 66 caps for the White Ferns before deciding to focus full-time on hockey last year.
"It sounds like she was pretty awesome - as a batter anyway," laughs Sharland.
"We didn't realise how good she was until we put her in the goalkeeping gear one day and she was saving goals left, right and centre; she has got a really good eye."
"It was a very hard decision. I loved cricket and it had given me some great opportunities," says Devine, who compares herself to Doug Bracewell when asked to nominate a Black Cap her game most resembles. "But I needed to focus fully on hockey if I wanted to make it and the chance to go to an Olympics is pretty special."
Her switch has paid off. On the fringes of the squad a year ago, she was picked for the 2011 Champions Trophy in August and then established herself in subsequent series against the US and Australia. Currently in Hager's top 18, she is a leading contender for his London list.
Devine brings a real presence to the backline and has added experience to her enthusiasm, having played over 25 matches in a short space of time. The 22-year-old is strong in possession and solid in the tackle and one of the main drag flick exponents in the side (alongside Clarissa Eshuis and Katie Glynn).
"Obviously she is just developing her role in the team but she has a good eye and has also got a strong hit on her," says Sharland. "There is plenty of power there."
As well as her all round skills and poise under pressure, Devine is apparently also the comedian of the team, alongside Gemma Flynn.
"Sophie is good to have around," says Sharland. "She is a bit of a joker and gets the girls laughing a lot. She also keeps everyone on their toes and is never afraid to bust out a few dance moves."
Devine feels as fit as she ever has after a prolonged conditioning programme during the summer break and a few games in Argentina. Though the side has yet to hit their straps in South America, Devine has no doubts where they want to go.
"We want to become a team that can hurt you from all areas, in all ways," she says. "We have some very quick players but we need to get much better at holding possession. Sometimes in the past, it has been like ping pong when we play and we need to try to control the tempo. Mark [Hager] has tried to instil more pride in possession and we learnt the hard way [last week]."
Their form at the Four Nations Challenge was far from encouraging.
Devine remains positive, pointing to last year's Champions Trophy semifinal versus South Korea where they were far from their best but "gutsed it out" to win one of the most important games in New Zealand hockey history.
"[This week] is going to be full on," says Devine. "Last year's achievement [third] was huge but we want to go one better now."
Devine once joked her biggest moment of sporting fame was sitting next to Daniel Carter at a hockey match (as he watched wife Honor play). She can make her own mark in Rosario this week, as well as London in July.
No pressure, though.
* Herald on Sunday writer Michael Burgess travelled to Argentina with assistance from Hockey NZ.
