Former New Zealand captain Suzie Bates has signed a domestic contract with Otago for the first time in 20 years. The experienced all-rounder retired from international cricket after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, where New Zealand’s campaign ended in the group stage. Although she has stepped away from international cricket, Bates is not ready to leave the game completely. She will continue playing domestic cricket and will represent the Otago Sparks during the upcoming domestic season.
At present, Bates is in England as part of the coaching staff for Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred Women’s Competition 2026. She is working as the women’s batting coach under head coach Adi Birrell, helping the players during the tournament. Once her coaching duties are complete, she will return to New Zealand and rejoin the Sparks. Her experience as both a player and a leader will be a huge boost for the team.
Bates is expected to be available for both the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HJS), One-Day tournament and the T20 Smash competition during the New Zealand home season. Otago Cricket confirmed that she will now focus fully on the Sparks, the team she has proudly represented throughout her outstanding 23-year domestic career. Having a player of her quality back in the squad is a major positive for Otago. The team will be hoping her experience helps them perform strongly in both competitions.
Last season was a difficult one for Bates because injury limited her time on the field. She managed to play only one one-day match in the 2025-26 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield before suffering a tendon injury while fielding. The injury ruled her out of the rest of the one-day competition as well as the entire Super Smash season. Now fully fit again, Bates is looking forward to playing a full domestic season with Otago.
Her return also creates an interesting connection between two generations of Otago players. The last time Bates held a domestic contract with Otago was back in 2006. Coincidentally, promising young batter Abby Fookes, who has now earned her first Otago contract, was born in the same year. Sharing a dressing room with one of New Zealand’s greatest players will give Fookes a valuable opportunity to learn and improve.
Otago women’s pathway manager Sarah Tsukigawa believes Bates’ experience will be extremely valuable for the younger members of the squad. She said the senior all-rounder will help guide the next generation both on and off the field. Tsukigawa also believes Bates’ presence will have a positive impact on the entire group throughout the season.
“It’s exciting for Abby to be in the Sparks squad with the experience that Suzie brings. Abby will learn a lot about being a cricketer both on and off the field from Suzie. We are very fortunate to be able to watch Suzie play for the Sparks for another season.”
Bates returns with an outstanding international record and unmatched experience. She finished her international career as New Zealand’s highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket and also remains the leading run-scorer in the history of women’s T20 Internationals. Throughout her career, she has been one of the world’s most consistent all-rounders and one of New Zealand’s finest leaders. Otago will hope her knowledge and experience inspire the younger players in the squad.
New Zealand Women’s Domestic Contracts 2026-27:
Otago Sparks
Suzie Bates, Emma Black, Anna Browning, Harriett Cuttance, Chloe Deerness, Abby Fookes, Louisa Kotkamp, Hannah O’Connor, Anika Todd, PJ Watkins, Saffron Wilson
Auckland Hearts
Olivia Anderson, Bella Armstrong, Elizabeth Buchanan, Prue Catton, Ella Drumm, Amie Hucker, Talia Hurley, Ayaan Lambat, Eve Meachen, Josie Penfold, Anika Tauwhare, Kat Thomas
Canterbury Magicians
Kate Anderson, Sarah Asmussen, Missy Banks, Kate Chandler, Stella Cornelius, Olivia Gain, Abigale Gerken, Ciara Hartland, Abigail Hotton, Kate Irwin, Darcy Prasad, Gabby Sullivan
Central Hinds
Aniela Apperley, Georgia Atkinson, Elizabeth Cohr, Grace Foreman, Kate Gaging, Yasmeen Kareem, Ashtuti Kumar, Emma McLeod, Jess Ogden, Cate Pedersen, Kerry Tomlinson, Abby Treder
Northern Brave
Lucy Boucher, Skye Bowden, Sophie Court, Marama Downes, Catlin Gurrey, Rishika Jaswal, Kayley Knight, Marina Lamplough, Holly Topp, Tash Wakelin, Jess Watkin, Eve Wolland
Wellington Blaze
Hannah Francis, Isla McKenzie, Isy Parry, Jess McFayden, Jess Simmons, Natasha Codyre, Neha Ramanathan, Nicole Baird, Rachel Bryant, Rebecca Burns, Sam Mackinder, Xara Jetly
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