It will be a landmark evening in Indore as two of New Zealand’s greatest cricketers, Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine, step into yet another chapter of cricketing history. When the White Ferns take on South Africa in their second match of the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, Bates will become the first woman ever to play 350 international games, while skipper Sophie Devine will mark her 300th appearance in New Zealand colours.
The pair’s combined tally of 650 international matches is a testament to their longevity, consistency, and enduring passion for the game. Having debuted within months of each other, Bates in 2006 against India as a 19-year-old and Devine at just 17 against Australia, the duo has been at the forefront of New Zealand women’s cricket for nearly two decades.
“To think together we have played 650 internationals for the White Ferns is kinda unbelievable and we want to make sure we finish that game on a good note so we can celebrate,” Bates said ahead of the match. “We will recognise it’s a special day, but our focus is on making sure we win that game and play well.”
While Bates reaches an unprecedented milestone, Devine joins an elite club of female cricketers to feature in 300 internationals alongside Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Charlotte Edwards, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, and Ellyse Perry. Bates laughed off the talk of “golden milestones” at the pre-match press conference but acknowledged the significance of sharing this moment with her longtime teammate and friend.
On New Zealand’s preparations and conditions, Bates added, “It’s an advantage playing in the same conditions, being able to train again but for this little period it’s a huge advantage. South Africa has been good, but we know how this wicket and angles of this ground have a slight advantage and no rain around the game so that’s an advantage.”
Devine, who will retire from ODI cricket at the end of the ongoing World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, will continue representing New Zealand in T20Is under a casual playing agreement with New Zealand Cricket. Bates, who has seen Devine’s transformation up close, was full of admiration for her captain and close friend.
“You’re not ever going to be able to replace Sophie Devine,” Bates said. “I think she’s changed the game through her power with the bat. I know every opposition fears the way she plays the game, and we haven’t had many players like that from New Zealand who can take the game away from an opposition. And then with the ball, everyone talks about her batting, but the way she competes with the ball and the fact that she’s captain, it’s just going to be impossible to replace her.
“I’m really glad that it’s just 50-over cricket that she’s talked about stepping away from. It probably feels right with the World Cup being four years away, but there’s plenty of 20-over cricket for her to contribute. And there’s going to be no other Sophie Devine that New Zealand cricket (will) produce. It’s going to be hard to find an all-rounder as explosive as her in world cricket.”
Despite the hype around the record books, both players have their eyes set on the more immediate task, bouncing back after their opening loss to Australia.
“Yeah, there’s probably a little bit of embarrassment from both of us,” Bates admitted. “We just feel that when we celebrate these milestones, it’s just because we’re getting old. But yeah, it’s one of those things that maybe in the moment, you probably take for granted, and it’s a World Cup game, and we don’t want to get too carried away with that milestone. But I know after the game, Sophie and I will sit and reminisce on how far we’ve come, not only as players together throughout this career, but as a team.
“I just think there’s been so much growth in New Zealand women’s cricket and those younger players coming through. So, yeah, we’ll be really proud. But in the morning, I think we’ll just be trying to get on with the cricket. And it’s something [in] ten years’ time when we’re both not playing, we might have a cup of coffee and think how cool it was to do it in Indore in India.”
As Bates and Devine prepare to etch their names deeper into cricketing folklore, tonight’s clash isn’t just about records, it’s about two icons celebrating resilience, leadership, and their shared journey of shaping New Zealand women’s cricket into what it is.
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