Suzie Bates to bid farewell from international cricket after T20 World Cup 2026

New Zealand's veteran cricketer Suzie Bates will retire from international cricket after the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Final World Cup mission Suzie Bates, who recently recovered from a quadriceps injury, will be included in New Zealand's 15-player squad for the T20 World Cup. The squad will be officially announced at her former school, Otago Girls' High School, next Wednesday. Following the announcement, Bates will travel with the team for the ODI and T20I bilateral series in England, set to begin in early May. New Zealand enter the tournament as defending champions, and Bates has set her sights on claiming another title. ## Reflecting on a legendary career Bates shared her emotions about her two-decade-long journey in cricket, stating that she still can't believe how fast time has passed. She expressed immense pride in representing her country with the fern on her chest and described the experience as a source of immense purpose and joy. Every day, she strived to improve as a person, teammate, cricketer, and athlete for the team she represented. ## A final push for glory Bates revealed her ultimate goal is to compete in the T20 World Cup in the UK, a place filled with cherished memories for her. She vowed to dedicate all her energy to this final mission, promising to contribute every ounce of effort to help the team play cricket that New Zealand and the country can take pride in. Her determination reflects her commitment to leaving a lasting legacy on the field. ## Career milestones and achievements Bates made her domestic debut at the age of 15 in 2003 and her international debut in 2006. She holds the record for the most runs in women's T20 Internationals with 4717 runs and is fourth in women's One Day Internationals with 5964 runs. Bates was appointed captain of New Zealand in July 2011 and led the team for nearly seven years. In 2016, she was recognized as the leading women's cricketer in the world by Wisden. ## Dual-sport athlete Beyond cricket, Bates also represented New Zealand in basketball, competing for the Tall Ferns at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her versatility and dedication to multiple sports highlight her athletic prowess and commitment to excellence in all her endeavors. ## Gratitude for support system Bates expressed deep thanks to her family, particularly her partner Scotty and his children, for standing by her through the highs and lows of her sporting career. She also paid tribute to the staff and coaches who have contributed significantly to the growth of women's cricket, often without adequate recognition or rewards. ## Teammate's praise New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr described Bates as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Kerr shared that Bates was her role model while growing up and that she was fortunate to play under her leadership. She emphasized Bates' selfless nature and her immense impact on the women's game, both in New Zealand and globally. ## Legacy and future inspiration Liz Green, Head of Women's High Performance Development at New Zealand Cricket, struggled to find words that adequately capture Bates' contributions to the game. Green highlighted that Bates' influence extends beyond her on-field performances, shaping the development of the women's game into what it is today. She noted that Bates' legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players for years to come, cementing her status as an all-time great in New Zealand and internationally.