Simple plans key to bowling the final over: Devine

In Gujarat Giants’ run to the playoffs in the Women’s Premier League, Sophie Devine’s impact has been profound. Having spent two decades as a professional cricketer at the highest level, the 36-year-old has brought all her wisdom and know-how into play to help the franchise set up a clash with Delhi Capitals in Tuesday’s Eliminator.

Nowhere has Devine’s phlegmatic presence under pressure been more apparent this season than in meetings against Capitals. In the first face-off in Navi Mumbai, the former New Zealand captain smashed a 42-ball 95 and then successfully defended seven runs off the final over. At the Kotambi Stadium, Devine was the game-changer once again as she picked up four scalps and defended nine runs in the 20th over.

Devine produced the goods at the crunch against Capitals here last Tuesday after conceding 23 runs in the 17th over.

“In that over, I thought I let Capitals back into the game. But it was just a case of being able to reflect really quickly. I knew I was probably a little bit complacent, especially early on in that over, and got punished,” Devine told The Hindu on Monday.

“To get the ball in the last over gives you a level of confidence knowing that the captain backs you to do a job. It comes down to experience. But it’s also going back to just really simple planning. I know people probably want an amazing answer, but it’s as basic as just a nice, simple game plan.”