Suzie Bates to Hang Up Her Bat After 2026 Women's T20 World Cup

Suzie Bates, the celebrated cricketer from New Zealand, has declared her retirement from international cricket, scheduled after the Women's T20 World Cup in England. At 38 years old, this all-rounder is set to conclude an extraordinary 20-year journey in the sport.

Confirming her decision on Friday, Bates stated that the upcoming tournament will mark her last match for the White Ferns. Over her career, she has participated in 362 international contests, making her the most-capped female cricketer in the game.

In an impressive feat, she became the first woman to tally 25,000 runs across all cricket formats. Moreover, she leads the scoreboard in T20 Internationals with 4,717 runs to her name. Bates also holds the record for the highest number of catches in women’s ODIs (93) and T20Is (96).

Beginning her career at just 15 with the Otago Sparks in 2003, Bates made her international debut in 2006. She took on the captaincy of the New Zealand team in 2011, managing 151 matches in that role.

Besides her cricketing endeavors, she also showcased her athletic prowess by representing New Zealand in basketball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Bates expressed her pride in her extensive journey with the White Ferns and shared her ambition to conclude her career on a victorious note with another T20 World Cup, having previously secured the title in the UAE two years prior.

Amelia Kerr, the current captain of the White Ferns, lauded Bates as one of the greatest cricketers in history and a key motivator for the team.

The Women's T20 World Cup kicks off on June 12 in England.