As 38-year-old Suzie Bates prepares for one final international appearance at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales (June 12 to July 5), her career stands as one of the most remarkable in women’s cricket.
Having announced she will retire after the tournament, the White Ferns stalwart leaves behind a legacy built over two decades. Bates became the first female cricketer to reach 350 international matches, 800 career games, and 25,000 runs, underlining her longevity and consistency at the highest level. With 362 appearances, 10,681 international runs, and 145 wickets, she remains one of the most complete players the game has seen. She also holds the record for the most runs in Women’s T20 Internationals (4,717) and sits second for most matches played in the format, behind Harmanpreet Kaur.
Her achievements extend beyond numbers. Bates is the first player to win both the ICC Women’s ODI and T20I Cricketer of the Year awards in the same season (2016). She was also New Zealand’s first centurion in T20Is and holds the team’s highest individual score in the format. Across her career, she has featured in 14 World Cups — nine in ODIs and five in T20Is — highlighting her sustained presence at the global level.
ODI Career: A Foundation of Excellence
Bates made her ODI debut against India in Lincoln on March 4, 2006, and quickly established herself as a key figure. In 181 matches, she has scored 5,964 runs in 172 innings at an average of 38.23 and a strike rate of 79.44, including 13 centuries and 37 fifties.
One of her most memorable performances came during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in 2009, when she scored 168 off 105 balls against Pakistan in Sydney, striking 19 fours and six sixes to lead New Zealand to 373 for 7 and a 223-run victory.
With the ball, Bates has taken 83 ODI wickets at an average of 34.13, with her best figures of 4 for 7 coming against South Africa at Bowral in the same tournament. She has also excelled in the field, including a record 19 catches in 20 innings during the ICC Women’s Championship 2014–2016/17.
T20I Impact and Records
Bates began her T20I career on August 10, 2007, against South Africa at Taunton and has since become one of the format’s leading performers. Across 181 matches, she has amassed 4,717 runs in 175 innings at an average of 28.93 and a strike rate of 108.56, with one century and 28 half-centuries.
Her standout T20I innings came in 2018, when she scored an unbeaten 124 off 66 balls against South Africa at Taunton, featuring 16 fours and three sixes, helping New Zealand to 216 for 1 and a 66-run win.
She has also contributed with the ball, claiming 62 wickets in T20Is at an average of 23.80, with best figures of 4 for 26 against Australia in Invercargill in 2011. Among her notable records are four catches in a single T20I innings and a share of the top run-scorer position for New Zealand at the 2020 T20 World Cup, where she scored 150 runs in six innings.
Legacy and Final Chapter
Bates’ influence goes beyond statistics, defined by her consistency, leadership and impact across formats. As New Zealand head into the 2026 T20 World Cup as defending champions — having defeated South Africa by 32 runs in the 2020 final in Dubai — her experience will once again be central to their campaign.
Despite confirming her retirement plans, Bates remains fully focused on one final objective — helping New Zealand defend their T20 World Cup title in England later this year.
“I have one final mission: to head to the UK – a place that holds so many special memories for me – and win another World Cup,” Bates said. “I’m going to give every ounce of my energy to this final quest, dedicating every minute to helping this team play the kind of cricket we, and our country, can be proud of.
Her final tournament represents not just the conclusion of an outstanding career, but also a celebration of her contribution to the growth of women’s cricket.
