Suzie Bates, a WHITE FERNS great and one of the most decorated cricketers in the world, will retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England, which runs from June 12 to July 5.
The announcement will bring the curtain down on an incredible 20-year international career that has seen the 38-year-old rewrite national and world records, captain the national side on 151 occasions – all while being at the forefront of the evolution of women’s cricket from amateur to professional.
Bates will be named as part of the 15-player world cup squad at an announcement event at her former school, Otago Girls’ High School next Wednesday and will depart with the squad for the ODI and T20I bi-lateral tour of England in early May.
Bates reflected on her career with pride.
“When I look back on the past twenty-plus years, I can’t quite believe how quickly the time has gone,” she said.
“I'm immensely proud to have worn the fern so many times, and I’ve been filled with enormous purpose and joy in striving each day to be a better person, teammate, cricketer, and athlete for this team.
“Words can’t truly express my gratitude to all my teammates and coaches along the way.
“I have one final mission: to head to the UK - a place that holds so many special memories for me - and win another World Cup.”
A right-handed opening batter from Dunedin and proud Otago Spark, Bates made her domestic debut as a 15-year-old in 2003 and her international debut in 2006 and would go on to establish herself as the benchmark of women's cricket excellence.
A talented sportswoman, Bates also represented New Zealand on the global stage in basketball, appearing for the Tall Ferns at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The all-time leading run-scorer in Women's T20 Internationals (4717*) and fourth in Women’s ODIs (5964*), Bates was also the first female cricketer to appear in 350 international matches and score 25,000 career runs (international and domestic).
She was appointed WHITE FERNS captain in July 2011 and led the side for almost seven years, guiding New Zealand to multiple ICC tournament finals and cementing herself as one of the most respected leaders in world cricket.
Bates was crowned ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2013 and then swept both the ICC Women's ODI and T20I Cricketer of the Year awards in 2016. In 2015, Wisden named her the Leading Women's Cricketer in the World.
“To my day ones, my family, thank you for always being there. And to my partner, Scotty, and his boys: you’ve shared in all the highs and the lows that this great game has brought into my life.
“I would also like to pay special tribute to the staff and coaches who have given so much to women’s cricket over many years, often with little recognition or reward.
“I’m going to give every ounce of my energy to this final quest, dedicating every minute to helping this team play the kind of cricket we, and our country, can be proud of.”
NZC Head of Women’s High Performance Development Liz Green said it was difficult to adequately describe Bates’ contribution to the game.
“It’s hard to find the words for a player like Suzie,” said Green.
“The women’s game has been able to develop into what it is today because of players like her.
“You’ll hear a lot about her contributions on the field, but it’s who she is as a player, teammate, and role model off the field that makes her one of the all-time greats, not only here in New Zealand but also internationally.
“She’ll leave the game with a profound legacy and will continue to inspire the next generation of players for years to come and that’s something pretty special to hang your hat on.”
WHITE FERNS captain Melie Kerr said Bates, who she has idolised from a young age, will be greatly missed.
“Suzie really is one of the greatest cricketers of all time,” Kerr said.
"Growing up Suzie was my role model, and I was fortunate enough to make the team when she was captain.
“If you’ve ever been lucky enough to play alongside her you’ll know that she’s one of the most selfless cricketers in the world and one of the greatest teammates.
"Her record speaks for itself, she's paved the way for a long time in women’s cricket, and what she’s done for cricket, the women’s game, and sport in New Zealand, she should be very proud of.
“She’ll be hugely missed in the WHITE FERNS whānau, but I know she’s still got a bit more left in the tank."
Suzie Bates career - At A Glance
- Captained the WHITE FERNS in 151 matches (79 ODIs, 72 T20Is)
- First woman to play 350 international matches
- First woman to score 25,000 career runs (international and domestic)
- The all-time leading run-scorer in women's T20Is (4717*)
- WHITE FERNS all-time leading run scorer in ODIs and fourth in women’s One Day International cricket (5964*)
- 145 international wickets (83 ODI, 62 T20I)
- The most catches in women’s ODIs (93) and T20Is (96)
- Player of the Tournament at the 2013 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup
- The first cricketer to win the ICC Women’s ODI and T20I Cricketer of the Year Awards in the same year (2016)
- Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist (2022)
- ICC Women’s T20 World Cup winner (2024)
- Attended 14* ICC World Cups (9* T20I, 5 ODI)
