Suzie Bates Equals Mithali Raj's Record as Most-Capped Player in Women's International Cricket

As Suzie Bates steps onto the field for the second semifinal of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 against the West Indies, she achieves a remarkable milestone—her 333rd international match in an illustrious 18-year career. This historic moment places her alongside India’s Mithali Raj as the joint most-capped player in women’s international cricket.

Most capped players in women’s international cricket:

Mithali Raj (India) – 333
Suzie Bates (New Zealand) – 332
Ellyse Perry (Australia) – 322
Harmanpreet Kaur (India) – 316
Charlotte Edwards (England) – 309

Bates, now 37, made her international debut on March 4, 2006, in an ODI against India at Lincoln. Though she didn’t get a chance to bat, she left her mark by dismissing wicketkeeper-batter Sulakshana Naik. Just a year later, she scored her maiden century—122 against India in Chennai—giving fans a glimpse of the exceptional career ahead.

In her 163 ODI appearances, Bates has amassed 5,718 runs at a stellar average of 40.55, with a personal best of 168. Her 13 centuries place her second only to Australia’s Meg Lanning in women’s ODI cricket. However, Bates isn’t just a force with the bat—she’s taken 78 wickets, with her best bowling figures of 4 for 7 coming against South Africa, making her one of the most versatile players in the game.

Bates’ brilliance extends into the shortest format as well. Since her T20I debut on August 10, 2007, against South Africa, where she scored 62 off 37 balls, she has been a constant presence at the top of the order. Her T20I career boasts 169 matches, 4,526 runs, and the top score of 124*, making her the first batter—male or female—to surpass 4,500 runs in T20 Internationals (T20Is), leading the runs charts in the format. Alongside her batting, Bates has taken 58 wickets with the best of 4 for 26, making her a valuable all-rounder.

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Bates’ achievements haven’t gone unnoticed. She was named the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2013 and 2016 and the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year in 2016. Her consistency and excellence across formats have made her an icon in women’s cricket. Bates recently etched her name in cricketing history by becoming the first cricketer, male or female, to surpass 4,500 runs in T20 Internationals.