The former White Ferns skipper has decided to sign with the Sydney Sixers by a ‘direct signing’ route. Out of the past 8 eight seasons, Suzie Bates has missed just one season. She has featured for 3 different clubs in the league, while her previous club Sixers has signed her for another year.
In a total of 84 innings, Suzie has amassed 2056 runs at an average of 28.16 and a strike rate of 104.36. Suzie also has a century to her name in the league, which she scored against Hobart Hurricanes in 2017.
Last season, Suzie was one of the Sixers’ star players as she racked up 318 runs from 14 innings at an average of 26.50 and a strike rate of 104.60. Suzie’s stellar campaign powered Sixers’ to yet another final, but this time the luck wasn’t in their favor as they fell short by just 10 runs.
Rachael Haynes, Head of Sydney Sixers said, “Suzie has been, and still remains, one of the top players in the world. If a player of the caliber of Suzie Bates wants to play at your club, you don’t say no.”
As mentioned earlier, Suzie signed with the Sydney Sixers through the route of direct signing. A total of 6 players had decided to enroll their names in the direct nomination list. This means that these players will be free to select and negotiate with the club they want (if they have a slot remaining for another international player). The salary cap of this type of signing is 95% that of the Silver Tier Players which is AUD$61,750 (₹33,11,074).
Rachael Haynes further added “There’s a reason Suzie has been so successful for such a long time. She’s driven, determined and hard-working, as well as incredibly skillful and a terrific team person. Her knowledge of the game is near unbeatable. What she can provide to our group both on and off the field is priceless and we’re thrilled to have her back at the Sixers this summer.”
The Sixers' star-studded lineup just got a whole lot brighter! 🤩
Suzie Bates returns for another blockbuster season 🔥#CricketTwitter #WBBL pic.twitter.com/CZyay8axZr
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 29, 2023
Suzie is one of three internationals that will don the famous pink jersey this year, with the other two being her compatriot Jess Kerr, and a Proteas international Chloe Tryon. Suzie will be seen playing with the likes of Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, and Alyssa Healy among others.
Sixers will kick start this year’s WBBL campaign as they face Melbourne Stars in the opening match of the season on 19th October.
Sydney Sixers Squad for WBBL09:
Ellyse Perry (C), Jade Allen, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Emma Hughes, Jess Kerr, Kate Paterson, Chloe Tryon
(Quotes Sourced from Sydney Sixers)
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