Suzie Bates to Retire After Women’s T20 World Cup
New Zealand cricket icon Suzie Bates has announced her retirement from international cricket, set to take effect following the Women’s T20 World Cup taking place from June 12 to July 5 this year. With a remarkable total of 10,681 international runs, Bates is just 188 runs shy of breaking Mithali Raj’s record for the most runs in women’s cricket history.
Joining the ranks of experienced players like Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu, Bates was instrumental in securing New Zealand’s first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup victory in 2024. Notably, she is recognized as the leading run-scorer in T20 internationals, across both men’s and women’s cricket.
Having made her international debut back in 2006, Bates is now reflecting on a stellar 20-year career. Yet, her focus remains on a final goal: helping New Zealand retain their T20 World Cup title in the UK.
“I can’t believe how fast the years have flown by,” Bates shared. “Wearing the fern has been a huge honor, and I’ve felt a strong purpose to improve as a person and athlete every day. I’m thankful to all my teammates and coaches throughout my journey. Now, I have one last mission: to return to the UK—a place full of cherished memories—and win another World Cup,” she added.
A Look Back at Suzie Bates’ Career
Suzie Bates, a right-handed opener from Dunedin, started her journey in domestic cricket at the young age of 15 in 2003 and debuted internationally in 2006. She has since become a pillar of women’s cricket and has even participated in basketball, representing New Zealand at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Bates stands out as the all-time leading run-scorer in Women’s T20Is and ranks high among ODI scorers. She was also the first woman to achieve 350 international matches and surpass 25,000 total runs.
From 2011, Bates captained New Zealand for nearly seven years, leading the team to multiple ICC finals. Throughout her decorated career, she received major ICC awards in 2013 and 2016 and was recognized by Wisden in 2015 as the leading women cricketer globally.
In total, Bates captained the White Ferns in 151 matches, accumulating 4,717 T20I runs and 5,964 ODI runs, while also contributing with 145 international wickets and setting records for catches with 93 in ODIs and 96 in T20Is. She was named Player of the Tournament in the 2013 World Cup, bagged a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and celebrated the T20 World Cup title in 2024.
As her career comes to an end, the cricket world will surely miss this remarkable athlete.
