Summary "I have one final mission: to head to the UK and win another World Cup," Suzie Bates says.
WELLINGTON (Web Desk) - New Zealand allrounder Suzie Bates will retire from international cricket after the 2026 T20 World Cup in England, bringing an end to a 20-year career.
Bates, who recently made a comeback from a quadriceps injury, will be named as part of the 15-player World Cup squad at an announcement event at her former school, Otago Girls' High School, next Wednesday and will depart with the squad for the ODI and T20I bilateral tour of England in early May. New Zealand are the defending champions and Bates said her goal is to win another title.
"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."
Bates made her domestic debut as a 15-year-old in 2003 and her international debut in 2006. She is the leading run-scorer in women's T20Is (4717) and fourth in women's ODIs (5964). She was appointed New Zealand captain in July 2011 and led them for almost seven years. In 2016, Wisden named her the leading women's cricketer in the world.
Apart from cricket, Bates also represented New Zealand in basketball, appearing for the Tall Ferns at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"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."
New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr called Bates "one of the greatest cricketers of all time".
"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."
NZC Head of Women's High Performance Development Liz Green said it was difficult to adequately describe Bates' contribution to the game.
"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 only here in New Zealand but also internationally.
"She'll leave the game with a profound legacy and will continue to inspire the next generation of players for years to come and that's something pretty special to hang your hat on."
