New Zealand captain Sophie Devine Photo: PHOTOSPORT
A month out of the game has given White Ferns captain Sophie Devine the chance to observe the game in New Zealand and she's not entirely happy.
Devine took a well-being break from cricket and returned to the pitch this week to play for the Wellington Blaze in the Super Smash.
While she's been happy to see a number of White Ferns standout in the domestic Twenty20 competition she is critical of one part of the game.
"In general I think the fielding has been pretty poor, that is something that has stood out," Devine told RNZ.
"I've watched most games on the television and it's been pretty disappointing to see the level of fielding across the competition.
"That's certainly an area that we talk about at the White Ferns, making sure we're a really strong fielding team."
Devine says it's an issue that each Major Association needs to address.
Amelia Kerr has dominated the bowling and Kerr and Suzie Bates the batting stats in the Super Smash.
Devine says White Ferns need to be leading the way in the domestic competitions but would like to see more featuring.
Wellington Blaze player Georgia Plimmer takes a catch during a Super Smash game 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
At the conclusion of the Super Smash, the players will return to the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 50 over competition before England tours here in March.
"You're always wanting more, especially from your New Zealand representatives.
"That's the challenge that was laid out before the Super Smash that we want White Ferns to dominate these competitions.
"So we (White Ferns) need to make sure we're scoring plenty of runs and taking wickets."
Devine missed the majority of the Super Smash to take a well-being break following a heavy workload over the last 12 months.
She says it achieved the purpose.
"The chats that I had with (coach) Ben Sawyer and Liz Perry (Head of Women's High Performance at NZC) were around my priority with the White Ferns and making sure that I'm at a hundred percent for that.
"We've got some World Cups coming up in the next couple of years and so we're looking at the calendar and working out what gaps I've got.
"It certainly was a bit of a longer break than I first intended but it's really done some good for me moving ahead."
The White Ferns play five T20 internationals and three ODI's against England in March and April.
The T20 World Cup is scheduled for Bangladesh later this year.
