Doubt surrounds Devine’s involvement

White Ferns captain Sophie Devine’s involvement for the start of the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa is in doubt because of a broken foot.

Coach Ben Sawyer said their opening batter wouldn’t play in three practice matches against England but was optimistic of her comeback for the start of their World Cup campaign on February 11.

The 33-year-old’s absence is a precaution while she manages a stress fracture in her foot to ensure she is available for the tournament, New Zealand Cricket said.

‘‘[We’re] taking it nice and slow with her. The goal is to get her fit for the two official warmup games [after the England practice series],’’ Sawyer said from Pretoria yesterday.

‘‘She is tracking well and was walking around today and had a little bit of a catch and a throw.

‘‘Everyone is confident she’s going to be there for the first game.’’

The White Ferns start the tournament against defending champions Australia in two weeks.

If Devine wasn’t fit, it would a massive blow for the White Ferns because she is a key figure in a batting lineup that lacks great depth.

Sawyer also confirmed that teenage spinner Fran Jonas was back in training after a calf strain she suffered while with New Zealand’s under-19s team in their T20 World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Jonas is likely to feature in the practice series with England that starts today.

The White Ferns are in group A for the T20 World Cup with Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and hosts South Africa.