Post by : Bianca
Haleem
The illustrious New Zealand cricketer Suzie Bates has declared her retirement from the international stage following the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in England. At 38 years old, the all-rounder is set to close the chapter on a remarkable two-decade career.
On Friday, Bates shared that this tournament would mark her final outing for the White Ferns. With a staggering 362 appearances in international matches, she holds the record as the most-capped female cricketer ever.
In addition to her historic participation, Bates is the first woman to amass over 25,000 runs across all formats and is the leading T20I run-scorer with 4,717 runs. Her defensive stats are also impressive, featuring the most catches in women's ODIs (93) and T20Is (96).
After making her debut for Otago Sparks at just 15 years old in 2003, Bates entered the international scene in 2006. She took over as New Zealand captain in 2011, steering the team through 151 matches.
Beyond cricket, Bates showcased her versatility as a sportswoman by representing New Zealand in basketball during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Expressing her sentiments, Bates remarked that she cherishes her journey with the White Ferns and aspires to conclude her career with yet another T20 World Cup victory, having previously secured her first title two years ago in the UAE.
Amelia Kerr, the current captain of the White Ferns, praised Bates, hailing her as one of the greatest cricketers and a profound source of inspiration for the team.
The Women’s T20 World Cup is set to commence on June 12 in England.
English
