New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Wellington have taken the decision, which has left the 34-year-old "understandably disappointed" to help recover from a heavy workload and prepare her for upcoming challenges which include the T20 World Cup
Sophie Devine has been given a wellbeing break from cricket to ensure she is fully recovered from a gruelling year ahead of a busy 2024.
The 34-year-old has played over half a century of matches across formats and competitions - including 49 T20s, the joint-most of any women - playing in the T20 World Cup and in bilateral series against Sri Lanka, South Africa and Pakistan, who have recently concluded a white-ball tour of New Zealand.
Domestically, she has frequented the biggest global tournaments including the inaugural WPL, the women's Hundred, the Caribbean Premier League and the WBBL.
"A wellbeing break" will see the Kiwi captain miss the first half of Wellington's Super Smash campaign (they begin against Otago on Thursday, December 21) before a decision is taken over her future availability.
Devine will miss the first half of the Super Smash - with a decision to be taken over her return (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Devine, pictured playing for Birmingham Phoenix in the women's Hundred, is a regular fixture across the T20 circuit (Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
NZC head of Women's high performance Liz Green said Devine was left "disappointed" by the decision which has been taken to ensure she is fully available for the challenges posed by a busy upcoming 12 months.
"Our players' mental and physical wellbeing is always our number one priority and it's clear Sophie simply needs a break," Green said.
"2024 is shaping as another big year for the White Ferns with England arriving later in the summer and the ICC T20 World Cup on the horizon.
"Sophie's understandably disappointed but we're adamant she needs this break to recharge her batteries and be well-prepared for the upcoming challenges."
The White Ferns face home and away series against England before travelling to Australia and India ahead of the second T20 World Cup in as many years in Bangladesh across September and October. The year concludes with a home ODI series against Australia.
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