White Ferns v South Africa: Sophie Devine ‘privileged and grateful’ after $476k Hundred deal

“But I think more importantly to see where the women’s game’s got to, it’s hard to believe that it’s got to this point and it’s only going to continue to get better.”

Ten players secured contracts in the Hundred auction worth more than $229,000, significantly higher than the competition’s highest salary five years ago of $34,000.

The biggest salary last year was $147,000.

“I’m really, really grateful and humbled,” Devine said, “I’m sure I’ve already had about five or six people come up to me saying it’s my shout for the rest of my life.

“I think it’s it’s all good, but for me it’s a really proud moment for the women’s game.”

The allrounder returns to the White Ferns squad for this month’s T20 series against South Africa, her first return to the side since the World Cup in India last October.

Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer and Flora Devonshire also return to the squad after they were all unavailable for the recent series against Zimbabwe.

The five-match series, which includes double-headers with the Black Caps and Proteas, starts on Sunday in Mount Maunganui.

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