Sophie Devine lines up NZ sporting double

DUAL INTERNATIONAL: Sophie Devine has just returned from cricket's World Twenty20 tournament, but now she is hoping to be picked for hockey's Black Sticks.

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Canterbury domiciled Sophie Devine will become New Zealand's latest double sporting international next week when she debuts for the Black Sticks hockey team.

Devine, 19, is already an established White Ferns women's cricket representative and last week returned home from the World Twenty20 tournament where she played in the final against England.

Next week she seems certain to appear for the New Zealand women's hockey team, if not in a match against Argentina on Monday in Pukekohe, then in the two tests against China that follow.

Devine said it would be a huge honour to play for New Zealand at two sports she loves equally and cannot yet separate. Her effort is all the more remarkable given that she developed insulin dependent diabetes four years ago.

National women's hockey coach Mark Hager said Devine, an all-rounder, brought several cross-over qualities.

"She has shown some real maturity for her age and has an ability to be quite calm," he said. "She has a sense of structures which is a reflection of the level of cricket that she plays."

Devine was in good company on the cricket tour to England where she was able to discuss the double international scenario with another dual representative Suzie Bates.

Bates played basketball for the Tall Ferns at the Beijing Olympics last year having already played for New Zealand at cricket.

"It was good to be able to talk to Suzie about things. It doesn't get any better than going to the Olympics and that's something I would like to aim for."

Being successful at both codes means little down time although Devine said she is fortunate to have a Prime Minister's scholarship which allows her have some money coming in to live on.

"And of course my parents Penny and Peter have been great. I do try and get the odd days free here and there."

Devine is studying sociology at Canterbury University, but she was doing the bare minimum of papers. Her busy schedule shows no sign of easing up in the coming months.

After her Black Sticks involvement the uncompromising Selwyn defender will be winging her way to the United States for the junior World Cup hockey tournament in Boston.

On her return home there is the national hockey league with the Canterbury Cats and if she impresses Hager sufficiently an Oceania Cup championship at Invercargill in September.

Soon after that the cricket season starts and the White Ferns have a home series against India before playing Australia away.

Next year there is another Twenty20 world tournament in the West Indies before a tour of England.

On the cricket field Devine bowls at a brisk pace and is a hard-hitting middle to lower order batsman. She played for Canterbury two seasons ago but appeared for her birth province Wellington last season.

Hockey commitments also loom next year and Devine may find a clash arises.

"I'll just try to keep playing both the best I can.

- © Fairfax NZ News