Sophie Devine hoping to serve up birthday treat for Yorkshire Diamonds

Yorkshire overseas all-rounder Sophie Devine has hailed the Kia Super League's impending move from five games to 10 from next summer.
Yorkshire Diamonds' overseas trio of Sophie Devine, Chamari Atapattu and Sune Luus. 
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.Yorkshire Diamonds' overseas trio of Sophie Devine, Chamari Atapattu and Sune Luus. 
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Yorkshire Diamonds' overseas trio of Sophie Devine, Chamari Atapattu and Sune Luus. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.

It was announced prior to the start of this year’s campaign that the competition will double in matches for 2018, something which the powerful New Zealander believes “needs to happen”.

“I think it’s fantastic,” said the 27-year-old former hockey international, who played for Loughborough last year and says she has seen an improvement in the standard during the last fortnight. “Although five games is short and sweet, it probably doesn’t show a true reflection.

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“It was always going to be tricky squeezing it in this year with the World Cup. But 10 games home and away should be great. More cricket can only benefit the girls.

“Right around the competition, everyone is getting better. It’s not just one or two teams.”

For Devine, this campaign has been a frustrating one.

Her bowling has been limited due to a side injury picked up at the World Cup, while she scored 11, one and two in her first three KSL innings before hitting 41 in the defeat against Western Storm at York on Sunday.

She hopes to save her best for Saturday’s final group game against Southern Vipers at Arundel, likely to be a must-win game if the Diamonds are to qualify for Finals Day on September 1 – her 28th birthday.