New Zealand cricket legend Suzie Bates announced on Friday, April 24, 2026, that she will retire from international cricket at the end of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The 38-year-old all-rounder will end her historic 20-year career following the tournament, which takes place in England and Wales starting June 12. Bates confirmed her decision after recovering from a recent injury, stating her final goal is to help the White Ferns defend their world title.
New Zealand Cricket will officially name Bates in the 15-player World Cup squad during an event at her former school, Otago Girls’ High School, next Wednesday. She will also be a part of a bilateral tour of England in early May before the global tournament begins. She currently holds the record for the most capped female international player in the history of NZ with 362 appearances.
Suzie Bates Sets Final Mission for 2026 T20 World Cup
In an interview for New Zealand Cricket on YouTube, Suzie Bates said that she will have one final mission: to head to the UK and win another World Cup. She played a vital role when New Zealand won the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2024.
Bates has been an important member of the silver fern for two decades. She noted that the time has passed quickly since her debut as an 18-year-old in 2006. Meanwhile, her teammates and coaches have praised her for her selfless attitude and leadership throughout her career.
A Record-Breaking 20-Year Career in Cricket
Suzie Bates is surely one of the most decorated athletes in New Zealand history. She has scored 4717 runs, which is the all-time leading run-scorer in women’s T20 Internationals. Additionally, she ranks fourth on the list of all-time run-scorers in One Day Internationals with 5,964 runs.
Bates has taken 93 catches in ODIs and 96 in T20Is. This is the most catches made in both major formats of the women’s game. Moreover, she was the first female cricketer to reach 350 international matches and 25,000 total career runs across domestic and international levels.
From Basketball Court to Cricket Pitch
Before being a cricketer, Bates was a talented basketball player. She represented New Zealand in basketball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. During that tournament, she featured prominently in assist statistics for the Tall Ferns.
However, she decided to focus entirely on cricket in 2011, where she became captain of New Zealand’s women’s cricket team. She led the White Ferns for nearly seven years, captaining the team in 151 matches.
Overcoming Injury for One Last Run
The path to the 2026 World Cup was not easy for Bates due to a major injury. She suffered a quadriceps tear during a World Cup campaign. She was forced into rehabilitation for 16 weeks.
During her rehabilitation, she thought about her future and whether she could recover from this. However, she recently returned to the squad for a five-match series against South Africa. She once again proved that she is ready for international competition.
Tributes From the Cricket World
Current White Ferns captain Amelia Kerr described Bates as a role model and one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Kerr noted that Bates paved the way for women’s cricket in New Zealand. She also emphasized that Bates is one of the most selfless teammates she has ever played with.
Liz Green, the NZC Head of Women’s High Performance Development, echoed these sentiments. She explained that the modern professional era of women’s cricket exists because of pioneers like Bates.
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