Cricket: Sophie Devine returns to White Ferns for final one day international against England 

White Ferns Captain Sophie Devine in her 50th T20 game
White Ferns Captain Sophie Devine in her 50th T20 game Photo credit: Getty Images

Star all-rounder Sophie Devine will return to captain the White Ferns for the third and final ODI against England at Seddon Park on Sunday.   

Devine, 34, missed the last three matches of the England tour with a quad strain, but has been brought back for the final game of the series after passing a fitness test in Hamilton yesterday.   

After suffering back-to-back ODI defeats, White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer says Devine's return gives the team a boost for the final game of the series.   

"Having Sophie lead them out tomorrow will fill the team with confidence," said Sawyer.   

"Sophie is always going to be a big miss whenever she is unavailable so we're delighted to be able to bring her back."   

Devine starred in the White Ferns only victory of the tour so far, the third Twenty20 in Nelson, scoring 60 runs off just 37 deliveries while taking two wickets with the ball.  

However, as Devine returns, opening batter Bernadine Bezuidenhout departs, ruled out after pulling a hamstring at Seddon Park on Thursday.   

Bezuidenhout received the injury while fielding on the boundary and the coaching staff opted not to send her out to bat at the back end of the second innings.   

A scan in Hamilton this morning has revealed a Grade 1 hamstring strain which will require a short period of rehabilitation.   

"We're disappointed for Bernie, who's already faced her fair share of injury challenges this summer," said Sawyer.   

"We're hoping she will make a quick recovery as we look ahead to a busy winter of cricket." Eden Carson has been called into the group to make up the 13-player squad for the final match of the New Zealand home summer. Mikaela Greig will also join the wider group as extra cover.

Having no way of winning the ODI series, the White Ferns will be playing for pride in the third and final match in Hamilton.