New Zealand allrounder Suzie Bates says she feels rejuvenated after recovering from a quadriceps injury that sidelined her for several months, as she targets a return to international cricket ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup in England later this year.
The experienced cricketer admitted she felt like “a kid in a candy store” after being able to bat, bowl and field again during training in Dunedin. Bates has not featured in an international match since the ODI World Cup in October last year, with the injury occurring while fielding for Otago in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.
Although the issue involved a tendon rather than a major structural problem, New Zealand’s management opted for a cautious rehabilitation process with the T20 World Cup on the horizon. Bates is now expected to make her return during the five-match T20I series against South Africa at home, beginning on March 15.
World Cup Motivation During Rehabilitation
Reflecting on the recovery period, Bates admitted there were moments of uncertainty when she first received the injury diagnosis.
“I’m not going to lie,” Bates said. “When I got the prognosis and was told it was 16 weeks and off the back of a disappointing 50-over World Cup, it crossed my mind. But I think that lasted about a day and I got back in the gym. And once I had that purpose of being available for selection for this massive series, it was pretty easy really.”
She added that the prospect of returning in time for the series against South Africa and a potential tour to England provided strong motivation.
“But yeah, those things cross your mind when you have major injuries and you’ve been in the game a long time. But I think knowing that the South African series and the potential of going on an England tour and a World Cup was really appealing and it didn’t seem that far away once I got fit. So it was either be done or commit to that. And so I made the latter decision.”
Renewed Focus on Contribution to the Team
Having observed India’s success in successive men’s T20 World Cups, Bates believes New Zealand can strengthen their position as defending champions in the upcoming women’s event.
For now, however, her immediate aim is to return to match fitness and contribute in any role required.
“To be fair, it’s just if I believe I can contribute to the group, that’s what I’ve always kept playing for,” she said. “If I can contribute with runs and wickets and in the field and just around the group and I’m fit enough to do it, then I’ve loved playing whether it’s World Cup or whether it’s home series. Yeah, there’s just still that motivation to keep doing it because I know once I stop, that’ll be it forever.”
Bates also acknowledged feeling some nerves after such a lengthy absence from the game.
“It’s probably been my longest break in 10 years not playing cricket. So there was a few nerves actually even coming to training just when you’ve been away from the group. So first and foremost, it’s getting back on that park on Sunday, pending selection. And then around that, it’s just making sure that I contribute whatever role that is with Melie [Melie Kerr] as captain, making sure I support her really well on and off the field.”
New Role in the Middle Order
If selected for the T20I series against South Africa, it will mark Bates’ first appearance in the format in nearly a year — and in a different batting role.
After opening in all but one of her 173 T20I innings, Bates revealed she is preparing to shift to the middle order. During her absence, wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze was promoted to open against Zimbabwe and responded with unbeaten scores of 66, 85 and 38.
Bates said the change has provided fresh motivation as she approaches the latter stages of her career.
“To be honest, that’s sort of probably given me an extra bit of motivation,” she said.
“When you’ve been doing something for so long, you can get a little bit complacent and go about your business the same way. But being given that message and real clarity around it, sort of has, yeah, I’ve almost rebirthed myself at 38.”
She also expressed enthusiasm about contributing in multiple ways.
“Yeah, to sort of come in… I love bowling, so the fact that that’s part of my role. And to bat in the middle order, it’s exciting. Everyone wants to bat at the top, and I’ve been fortunate enough to do it for a very long time. It’s just been able to, I guess, prove that I can play different roles as well at the international level.”
