New Zealand's cricket captain, Sophie Devine, has launched a strong appeal for cricket authorities to reassess the current fielding regulations and boundary dimensions in the women's game. She argues that the existing rules provide an excessive advantage to batters, creating an uneven contest between bat and ball.
An Imbalance Tilted Towards Batters
Speaking to reporters, Devine pinpointed the specific rule that permits only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle during non-powerplay overs. This regulation, designed to boost boundary counts and fan engagement with higher scores, is now under scrutiny. "There needs to be a serious look at the four-fielders-out rule," Devine stated. "We are pretty close to going in line with the men and having five fielders out on the boundary."
The experienced all-rounder, who was acquired by Gujarat Giants in the 2026 Women's Premier League auction and features among the league's top five performers in both runs and wickets this season, emphasized the growing power in the women's game. She believes allowing a fifth fielder on the boundary would not stifle scoring. "We've all seen the power that the women's game has got now, and I don't think having five fielders out would be a hindrance," she added.
The Boundary Length Debate
Devine also highlighted the significant disparity in boundary sizes compared to the men's game. In the Women's Premier League, the maximum boundary length is capped at 60 meters, whereas in the equivalent men's tournament, boundaries can extend up to 77 meters. This shorter distance, combined with flat pitches, further skews the game in favor of hitters. "The balance is distorted towards batters, especially when you're playing on wickets that are so flat and offering not too much for the bowlers," Devine explained.
On the 'Retired-Out' Strategy
The New Zealand star also commented on the emerging trend of the 'retired-out' tactic in the WPL. This strategy, used notably by Gujarat's Ayushi Soni and UP Warriorz's Harleen Deol during the tournament's opening week, involves a batter voluntarily leaving the crease to allow a potentially faster-scoring teammate to bat.
Devine expressed support for this innovative approach, viewing it as a team-first decision aimed at building momentum. "At the end of the day, those decisions are always made with the team coming first," she said. She also indicated a preference for this flexible strategy over the 'impact player' substitution rule, appreciating the all-round capability it preserves. "I like the idea that you can do all skills, or certainly bat, and still be able to go on the field," Devine concluded.
