New Zealand cricket star Suzie Bates has announced that she will retire from international cricket after the Women’s T20 World Cup in England this year.
The 38-year-old shared the news through New Zealand Cricket, bringing an end to a long and successful career.
Suzie Bates on her retirement
Bates said she feels proud when she looks back at her career of more than 20 years.
She shared that playing for New Zealand has been a special journey, and she has enjoyed growing as a player and teammate over the years.
She also said her final goal is to go to England and try to win another World Cup before retiring.
A long and successful career
Suzie Bates made her debut in 2006 at the age of 18. Since then, she has been one of the most important players for the New Zealand women’s team.
She has played 362 international matches, which is one of the highest in women’s cricket.
Career overview
| Format | Matches |
|---|---|
| ODI | 181 |
| T20I | 181 |
| Total | 362 |
She is second on the list of most international matches in women’s cricket, just behind Harmanpreet Kaur.
Record-breaking T20I career
Bates is the highest run-scorer in T20 International cricket across both men and women.
T20I record
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Runs | 4,717 |
| Record | Highest run-scorer in T20Is |
She has also scored 14 centuries in international cricket, placing her among the top players in women’s cricket history.
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Major achievements and awards
Suzie Bates has received many top awards during her career.
Awards list
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2013 | ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year |
| 2015 | Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer |
| 2016 | ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year |
| 2016 | ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year |
She was also Player of the Tournament in the 2013 ODI World Cup.
In 2024, she helped New Zealand win the Women’s T20 World Cup, which was a big moment in her career.
Praise from teammates
New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr praised Bates and called her one of the greatest players.
She said Bates has inspired many young players and has always been a selfless teammate.
Success beyond cricket
Apart from cricket, Suzie Bates has also represented New Zealand in basketball.
She played in the 2008 Olympics and also played professional basketball in Australia and New Zealand.
This shows her talent as an all-round athlete.
Final thoughts
Suzie Bates’ retirement will mark the end of a great era in New Zealand cricket.
She has been known for her consistency, leadership, and strong performances over many years.
As she prepares for her final tournament, fans will hope she finishes her career on a high with another World Cup win.
