New Zealand’s cricket community will bid a fond farewell to the legendary all-rounder Suzie Bates as she announces her retirement from international cricket after the ongoing T20 World Cup in England. The 38-year-old, who has had a remarkable career spanning two decades, made the decision official on Friday.
Bates expressed her desire to conclude her international journey on a high note by clinching back-to-back T20 World Cup titles, following the team’s triumph in the UAE two years ago. Reflecting on her illustrious career, Bates shared her sentiments, stating, “Looking back at the past 20 years, it’s incredible how swiftly time has passed. I take immense pride in representing New Zealand and have found great purpose and joy in striving to improve daily as a player and teammate.”
With an impressive record of 362 appearances for the White Ferns in both ODIs and T20Is, Bates holds the distinction of being the most capped female international player in history. She is recognized for being the first woman to achieve the milestone of scoring 25,000 runs across all formats, leading in women’s T20Is with 4,717 runs, and holding the record for the most catches in women’s ODIs (93) and T20Is (96).
Having debuted for the Otago Sparks domestically at the age of 15 in 2003 and internationally three years later, Bates took on the role of New Zealand captain in 2011, leading the team in 151 matches. Apart from her cricketing prowess, she showcased her versatility as a multi-sport athlete, having represented New Zealand in basketball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Recognizing Bates’ exceptional contributions to the sport, current White Ferns captain Amelia Kerr praised her as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, highlighting her as a role model and expressing confidence in Bates’ enduring impact on the team despite her retirement. The Women’s T20 World Cup is set to commence on June 12, marking the stage for Bates’ final international campaign.