With Suzie Bates confirming her retirement from international cricket after the upcoming T20 Women’s World Cup, it brings an end to the career of one of the defining figures of women’s cricket, both for New Zealand and the global game. Over the past decade, there have been a few influential women cricketers who have not just dominated the game but changed the dimension of women’s cricket worldwide. Suzie Bates is one of those legendary names who has been a pioneer in growth with sheer performance and aura.
Numbers and more: The legacy
Since her debut as a 19-year-old in March 2006, Bates has played 181 Women ODIs and as many as Women T20Is. A fitting ode to her longevity is that she currently is the fourth-most capped ODI player and ranks second all-time in the T20I list, just behind Harmanpreet Kaur. Bates is also the fourth-highest run scorer in Women ODIs and the highest run scorer in Women T20Is with 5,964 and 4,717 runs, respectively. She was also the Player of the tournament in the 2013 Women’s World Cup and played a key role in White Ferns’ maiden triumph in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.
She has featured regularly in various franchise leagues around the globe – Women’s BBL, CPL, and the Hundred. Although she did not play in the WPL, she was a prominent member of the Trailblazers, which was part of the Women’s T20 Challenge, an early version of the Women’s Premier League in India. Bates is one of the rare double-internationals in women’s cricket. She represented New Zealand in Basketball during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Beyond the numbers: Impact of Suzie Bates
But even beyond her numbers, Bates has created a great legacy as an ambassador of the game. She captained the New Zealand women for a long time in both formats- 151 international matches across formats. Even after stepping down as full-time captain in 2018, she remains a vital member and mentor for future leaders like Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr. Her role in nurturing the next generation of New Zealand cricket has ensured that the White Ferns remain competitive despite a smaller talent pool compared to the other big players. Her career spanning two decades, during which Bates represented New Zealand in 350 international matches, has helped bridge the gap between amateurs and professionals in New Zealand women’s cricket.
All eyes will be on the white-ball series between New Zealand and England now. Both teams will use the opportunity to prepare for the subsequent T20 World Cup scheduled in June-July. Her captain, Amelia Kerr, already spoke about her selflessness and the motivation she provides for the junior players in the team. Bates will be expected to inspire the team with her performance and make her last hurrah a memorable affair. It will be an excellent climax to her landmark career if the White Ferns manage to defend the title and provide her a memorable farewell on the world stage.
All you need to know about ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
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