New Zealand cricket has produced many exceptional talents who have gone on to stamp their authority in International cricket, both in the men’s and the women’s game. The remarkable longevity and the kind of impact that they have had in the success and growth of New Zealand have embarked them on a journey of being the legends of the game. In this article, we will be touching down on one such remarkable journey of the White Ferns all-rounder Suzie Bates.
Former India captain Mithali Raj has been through this journey and has established herself as one of the greats of the game. She has distanced herself with distinction in terms of most appearances in Women’s ODIs with 232 matches scoring 7805 runs, including 7 centuries and 64 half-centuries with a stunning average of 50.68.
Next on is another Indian legend Jhulan Goswami with 204 matches. Jhulan has picked up 255 wickets with an average of 22.04, with an impressive economy of 3.37. Her wickets tally included 7, 4-wicket hauls, and a couple of 5-wicket hauls. Her best performance in an ODI came against New Zealand, albeit in a losing cause on 5th July 2011, when she picked up 6 wickets giving away just 31 runs in her spell of 10 overs.
The ODI Elite Club 😍🙌🏻
Suzie Bates in the 🔝 5
She tied with Stafanie Taylor today becoming the 5th Player to play most ODIs. #CricketTwitter #SLvNZ 📸: Getty pic.twitter.com/E5NI0Fl1Ux
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 3, 2023
The 35-year-old New Zealand all-rounder Suzie Bates recently joined the elite list of players when she played her 150th ODI on 30th June 2023 against Sri Lanka. Though Bates didn’t have a memorable outing with the bat, New Zealand went on to comprehensively win the 2nd ODI to keep the series alive on the back of a match-winning performance from the White Ferns skipper.
Suzie Bates made her International debut on 4th March 2006 in an ODI against India. Since then, she has played 151 matches, scoring 5359 runs, including 12 centuries and 32 half-centuries at an average of 41.54. She also picked up 75 wickets at an average of 33.82 and an impressive economy of 4.96. Her wickets tally included one 4-wicket haul.
Her best performance in the ODI format came against South Africa on 12th March 2009 in the Women’s ODI World Cup. She picked up 4 wickets giving away just 7 runs in her 5-over spell triggering a collapse, and helping New Zealand complete a thrashing win over South Africa. Her best performance with the bat came against Pakistan in ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2009. Her career-best knock of 168, alongside a century from the, then skipper Haidee Tiffen helped New Zealand post a mammoth total of 373 runs on the board.
Earlier, former West Indies skipper Stafanie Taylor also achieved the milestone of 150 ODI appearances for West Indies. She played her 150th ODI against Ireland on 28th June 2023, but unfortunately, the ODI game was washed out due to rain. Stafanie Taylor made her International debut on 24th June 2008 in an ODI against Ireland.
Since her debut she has played 151 matches, scoring 5501 runs, including 7 centuries and 40 half-centuries at an average of 44.72. Her best performance with the bat came against Sri Lanka on 3rd February in ICC Women’s World Cup in 2013. She has picked up 153 wickets with the ball at an average of 21.95 and an impressive economy of 3.53. Her wickets tally included 5, and 4-wicket hauls. Her best performance with the ball came against South Africa in the 2009 Women’s ODI World Cup when she picked up 4 wickets giving away just 17 runs at an economy 2.04 in her spell.