- Suzie Bates will retire from international cricket after the T20 World Cup.
- The New Zealand star holds the record for most T20 international runs.
- Bates aims to win another World Cup trophy before ending her career.
Suzie Bates, the renowned New Zealand all-rounder, is set to end her international cricket career this year. The 38-year-old athlete will step away following the Women’s T20 World Cup. This announcement marks the conclusion of a distinguished journey spanning more than 20 years.
The legendary player will join the 15-member White Ferns squad in England. They are scheduled to compete in the T20 World Cup from 12 June to 5 July. Additionally, the team will face the hosts in three T20Is and ODIs during the coming month.
Bates has achieved remarkable statistics as a right-handed opening batter. She is the all-time leading run-scorer in women’s T20 internationals with 4,717 runs. Her versatility is evident in her 145 wickets and her record-breaking number of catches in the field.
Reflecting on her time, Bates expressed immense pride in representing her country. She views her final trip to the UK as a mission to win another World Cup title. This goal follows her previous success in winning the 2024 T20 World Cup tournament.
Her leadership was pivotal, as she captained New Zealand in 151 matches over seven years starting in 2011. She first debuted against India in 2006. Captain Melie Kerr described her as a role model and one of the greatest players ever.
Individual accolades highlight her dominance in the sport. Wisden named her the top female player in the world in 2015. She also earned the ICC women’s ODI cricketer of the year award twice, specifically in 2013 and 2016.
Beyond cricket, Bates is a versatile athlete with a basketball background. She represented New Zealand at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In cricket, she was previously honored as the player of the tournament during the 2013 World Cup held in India.
