New Zealand's Suzie Bates has announced her retirement from international cricket following the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England, concluding a remarkable career that spanned over two decades.
A journey of dedication and joy
Since her debut in 2006, Bates has played 362 matches for the White Ferns, establishing herself as one of the team's most reliable performers with both bat and ball. Reflecting on her journey, Bates said, "When I look back on the past twenty-plus years, I can't quite believe how quickly the time has gone. I'm immensely proud to have worn the fern so many times, and I've been filled with enormous purpose and joy in striving each day to be a better person, teammate, cricketer, and athlete for this team." She added, "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."
A career full of records and achievements
Bates leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. She is New Zealand's highest run-scorer across all formats, with 14 international centuries and 145 wickets. Primarily known for her top-order batting, she also made significant contributions as a bowler, especially early in her career. She captained New Zealand from 2011 to 2018 and earned multiple ICC awards, including ODI Cricketer of the Year. One of her standout performances came in the 2013 World Cup, where she was the leading run-scorer.
One last dance
In recent years, Bates has continued to play a pivotal role for the team, even stepping in as captain when required. She was also part of the squad that won the 2024 T20 World Cup, a major milestone for New Zealand. Now, as she prepares for her final tournament, Bates will aim to help her team secure another title before ending her international career.
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