New Zealand stalwart Suzie Bates has confirmed the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England will be her final outing in international colours, closing the book on a two-decade career that has largely defined the White Ferns era.
The 38-year-old all-rounder, back in the side after a troublesome quadriceps strain, is expected to be named in the 15-strong touring party at Otago Girls’ High School next Wednesday. From there the squad flies out for an ODI and T20I (Twenty20 International) series against England in early May – useful match practice before they defend the World Cup crown later in the summer.
“When I look back on the past 20-plus years, I can’t quite believe how quickly the time has gone,” Bates said. “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, team-mate, cricketer, and athlete for this team.
“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. 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.”
Few players can match the Southlander’s numbers. She sits top of the women’s T20I run charts with 4717 and fourth on the ODI list with 5964. Debuting as a teenager in 2006 and captaining New Zealand from 2011 to 2018, Bates was recognised by Wisden in 2016 as the leading woman cricketer in the world. She even squeezed in an Olympic basketball appearance for the Tall Ferns at Beijing 2008 – a reminder of the multi-sport pedigree that shaped her game sense.
“To my dear ones, my family, thank you for always being there,” she said. “And to my partner, Scotty, and his boys: you’ve shared in all the highs and the lows that this great game has brought into my life. I would also like to pay special tribute to the staff and coaches who have given so much to women’s cricket over many years, often with little recognition or reward.”
Current skipper Amelia Kerr was still in primary school when Bates first opened the batting for Otago, yet she has grown from admirer to team-mate.
“Growing up Suzie was my role model, and I was fortunate enough to make the team when she was captain,” Kerr said. “If you’ve ever been lucky enough to play alongside her, you’ll know that she’s one of the most selfless cricketers in the world and one of the greatest team-mates.
“Her record speaks for itself, she’s paved the way for a long time in women’s cricket, and what she’s done for cricket, the women’s game, and sport in New Zealand, she should be very proud of. She’ll be hugely missed in the White Ferns whānau [family], but I know she’s still got a bit more left in the tank.”
New Zealand Cricket’s head of women’s high-performance, Liz Green, tried to sum up the 293-cap veteran. “It’s hard to find the words for a player like Suzie,” Green said. “The women’s game has been able to develop into what it is today because of players like her. You’ll hear a lot about her contributions on the field, but it’s who she is as a player, team-mate, and role model off the field that makes her one of the all-time greats, not just in New Zealand but globally.”
Bates will doubtless tidy away the stats later. For now, one task remains: squeeze every last run, catch and over out of a body that, by her own admission, has already given plenty – and maybe, just once more, lift a trophy.
