As the 38-year-old Suzie Bates prepares to lace up her boots for one final international hurrah at the 10th ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales (June 12 to July 5, 2026), the cricket world pauses to celebrate a true pioneer.
The White Ferns veteran, who announced her decision to retire post-tournament, has been the heartbeat of New Zealand cricket for 20 years, first to 350 international matches, 800 career games, and 25,000 career runs as the first female to hit those milestones. With 362* appearances, 10,681* international runs, and 145* wickets, Bates holds records like the most T20I runs (4,717*) and second-most T20I matches (181* after Harmanpreet Kaur’s 193).
She’s the first to win ICC ODI and T20I Women’s Cricketer of the Year in the same season (2016), the White Ferns’ first T20I centurion with their highest individual score, and a veteran of 14 World Cups (9 ODI, 5 T20). Defending champions New Zealand, who beat Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa by 32 runs in Dubai on October 20, 2020, will lean on her experience one last time.
Suzie Bates burst onto the scene with her ODI debut against India at Lincoln on March 4, 2006, and hasn’t looked back. In 181 matches, she has amassed 5,964 runs in 172 innings at an average of 38.23 and a strike rate of 79.44, including 13 centuries and 37 half-centuries. Her pinnacle arrived on March 19, 2009, against Pakistan at Sydney during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup: batting at No. 3, she unleashed 168 off 105 balls (19 fours, 6 sixes), propelling New Zealand to 373/7 and a 223-run demolition.
Suzie Bates’ all-round prowess shines through her bowling too, 83 wickets in 117 innings at 34.13 average and 4.98 economy, with a career-best 4/7 (5-2-7-4) against South Africa at Bowral on March 12, 2009, in the same World Cup, sealing a 199-run win. She’s etched her name with 843 runs (strike rate 98.48, average 56.20, 7 fifties, 1 century in 19 innings across 21 matches) at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln, the most there, and 19 catches in 20 innings during the ICC Women’s Championship 2014-2016/17, the series record. In the 13th ICC Women’s ODI World Cup (India/Sri Lanka, September 30 to November 2, 2025), she contributed 40 runs in five innings, ever the fighter.
Bates’ T20I journey ignited on August 10, 2007, against South Africa at Taunton. Across 181 matches, the fourth-most in ODIs too, she has plundered 4,717* runs in 175 innings at 28.93 average and blistering 108.56 strike rate, featuring 28 half-centuries and a century. Her T20I masterpiece? An unbeaten 124 off 66 balls (16 fours, 3 sixes) opening with Sophie Devine against South Africa at Taunton on June 20, 2018, New Zealand’s 216/1 routed the visitors by 66 runs.
With the ball, she has snared 62 wickets in 97 innings at 23.80 average and 6.65 economy, highlighted by 4/26 (3-0-26-4) against Australia at Invercargill on February 20, 2011. Records galore: most catches in a T20I innings (4), joint-highest run-scorer for New Zealand at the 2020 T20 World Cup (150 runs in six innings, strike rate 93.16, average 25) alongside Georgia Plimmer, plus unmatched career T20I runs.
Suzannah Wilson Bates’ swansong at the 2026 T20 World Cup isn’t just an exit; it’s a testament to endurance, flair, and legacy. The White Ferns, buoyed by their 2020 triumph, chase history with their evergreen superstar leading the charge.
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