New Zealand
The world of cricket is preparing to say goodbye to a true icon. New Zealand’s legendary all-rounder, Suzie Bates, has officially announced her plan to retire from international sports. Her incredible journey will conclude following the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup held in England this June.
Bates has been a cornerstone of the White Ferns for two decades. Since her debut against India in 2006, she has represented her country 362 times. Known for her powerful batting and handy bowling, she retires as New Zealand’s highest run-scorer of all time. With 14 centuries and 145 wickets across all formats, her resume ranks among the greatest in the history of the game.
Reflecting on her career, Bates shared that she feels immense pride in wearing the silver fern. She noted how quickly twenty years passed and thanked her teammates for the joy they shared. While she has achieved individual greatness, including being named ICC Player of the Year multiple times, her focus remains on the team. Her final “mission” is to help New Zealand defend their title and win back-to-back trophies in the United Kingdom.
Bates led the team as captain for seven years and played a vital role in their historic 2024 World Cup victory. As she prepares for her last dance in Group B against rivals like England and the West Indies, fans everywhere are celebrating a pioneer who changed women’s cricket forever. She leaves a legacy of purpose, excellence, and pure sporting joy.