Like any team, we want to see continual improvement: Sophie Devine

New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine said she thinks a Women's IPL could help "take the game to the game to the next level globally." The 30-year-old, who has played in both editions of the Women's T20 Challenge so far, said it would be exciting to play a full-fledged tournament in the future.



The 2020 edition of the Women's T20 Challenge was meant to be an extended four team event with seven games to be held in Jaipur. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India to put off their plans indefinitely.



Following India's run to the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia, calls for a full-fledged Women's IPL have become louder. Several players - former and current - from around the world have said that the tournament will not only help the growth of Indian cricket, but world cricket as well.



"I think it would be fantastic to see a full-fledged women's IPL and could certainly take the women's game to the next level globally. We have already seen the success that domestic leagues such as the WBBL and KSL to the standard of play as well as offering international players opportunities to play overseas," Devine told ANI.



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The allrounder, who has featured in both the Women's Big Bash League in Australia, and the Women's Cricket Super League in England has had the opportunity to play alongside cricketers from around the world. In the inaugural edition of the Women's T20 Challenge, Devine shared the dressing room with India ODI skipper Mithali Raj, and was effusive in her praise for the veteran.



"Mithali has been a stalwart of the women's game for so many years and has done so much not only for cricket in India but around the world. Her composure at the crease is something that I've always admired," she said.



Recently appointed full-time skipper of New Zealand, Devine said she is keen to see the team develop consistently and hopes they can turn their form around in global tournaments. With a home World Cup on the horizon, she said the team is excited about the opportunity in front of them.



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"Like any team, we want to see continual improvement in all facets of the game. There are some big global events coming up starting with the ICC 50 over World Cup in NZ which is a huge focus for us currently."



"New Zealand has a great history of women's sport, especially with the White Ferns winning the 2000 Women's Cricket World Cup so will be looking to tap into some of that knowledge and experience," she added.



The COVID-19 pandemic means that there is still no announcement about whether the tournament will be held on time. With the Men's T20 World Cup (scheduled for October-November) in Australia all but certain to be postponed, there is speculation that could have a knock on effect on the Women's ODI World Cup early next year.



New Zealand is one of the countries that has managed to control the spread of the virus and thus, restrictions within the country have been eased. The team has thus resumed training and are preparing for a series in Australia in September.



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"Yes, we are very fortunate here in NZ that the government and the whole country have done their part in the fight against COVID-19. We are back training and will be having our first lot of camps as a split-squad over the coming weeks. Think the lockdown taught a lot of athletes that there are different ways to practice whether that`s setting up gym equipment at home or simply doing bodyweight exercises," Devine told ANI.



"My fingers are crossed that this event (World Cup) goes ahead but we need to also understand that it is an extremely tough situation that is affecting the whole world at the moment. I have full trust in the governing bodies and health experts that whatever decision is made will be the right one," she added.



"There will possibly be an element of being a bit rusty as there always is when you come back from time away from the game. I know we will be doing everything we can to be in the best possible shape for whenever we are able to get back on the field."