Speaking on the eve of their 2nd clash of the campaign against Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa, on 6th October 2025 at the Holkar Stadium, Indore, the veteran White Ferns all-rounder Suzie Bates, making her 5th appearance in an ODI World Cup campaign for New Zealand, touched upon a few key pointers facing the press.
The Sophie Devine-led side looks to bounce back from an 89-run loss to Australia in their World Cup opener at the same venue on October 1. Bates, 38, is featuring in her fifth ODI World Cup campaign and remains one of the sport’s most decorated all-rounders, with 5,896 runs and 81 wickets in 172 ODIs, and 4,716 runs plus 60 wickets in T20Is since debuting in 2006.
Having already played their opening game at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Bates acknowledged the strategic benefit of familiarity. “It’s a huge advantage, not only playing in the same conditions but not having to travel after that game. We’ve had a few days off to train again, we know how this wicket generally plays and the outfield and the angles of the ground.”
The Sophie Devine-led side dominated the majority of the 1st innings, against the defending champions, until Ashleigh Gardner (115 off 83 balls), scoring her 2nd century in the format and her first in the ODI World Cup, came up with a rescue act alongside the lower-order to post a strong total of 326 runs.
The White Ferns were pushed on the back foot early on in the run chase, losing both their openers for a duck inside the first couple of overs in the run chase. Skipper Sophie Devine (112 off 112 balls) led from the front with the bat, registering her 9th century in the format, smashing 12 boundaries and 3 maximums, keeping the chase alive for her side, until her stay at the crease.
Despite her own disappointment with a 9-ball duck, Bates praised the team’s spirit in the opener against Alyssa Healy-led Australia. “We were just really proud of how we fought. Sophie Devine’s outstanding innings kept us in the game. Our batting goes really deep; we’ve just got to put it all out there when it matters.”
One of the most experienced icons for the White Ferns, skipper Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, who’ve seen it all and have been the pillars of New Zealand cricket through thick and thin over the years, will be marking special milestones in their respective careers. The New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine will be stepping out in her 300th International game for the White Ferns as she walks out to lead her side against a wounded South African unit led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt.
Suzie Bates will also be stepping out to represent New Zealand for the 350th time across formats at the international level, against South Africa, at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. She will also become the first player to achieve the landmark.
“Yeah that’s always I think the goal on milestone games, Sophie Devine also in her 300th match so to think together we’ve played 650 internationals for the White Ferns is kind of unbelievable and yeah we’ll want to make sure that we finish that game on a good note so we can celebrate but we’ve kind of got to push those milestones to the side and just be present tomorrow, we’ll recognise that it’s a special day but our focus is on making sure we win that game and play well.”
Amid her personal milestone and Devine’s 300th match, Bates insisted their priority remains securing victory. “Maybe in ten years’ time we’ll have a coffee and think how cool it was to do it in Indore in India.” Brace yourselves for a fascinating contest as both sides search for their first points in the tournament at the Holkar Stadium, Indore.
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