New Zealand have confirmed that veteran all-rounder Suzie Bates will retire from international cricket after the conclusion of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled in England and Wales from June 12.
The 38-year-old will end a remarkable career spanning more than two decades, during which she has featured in 362 international matches for New Zealand and become one of the most influential figures in women's cricket.
Reflecting on her journey, Bates expressed great pride and gratitude for her long association with the national team. "When I look back on the past twenty-plus years, I can't quite believe how quickly the time has gone," she 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, teammate, cricketer, and athlete for this team," Bates added.
She also thanked those who supported her throughout her career. "Words can't truly express my gratitude to all my teammates and coaches along the way," she said.
Looking ahead to her final assignment, Bates made it clear she has one last major goal. "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. "
Suzie Bates: A Decorated Career Across Formats
One of the most accomplished all-rounders in the women's game, Bates has scored 14 international centuries across formats and taken 145 wickets. She remains New Zealand's leading run-scorer in women's international cricket and sits among the top ODI century-makers in history.
Since her debut against India in 2006, Bates has been a mainstay of the White Ferns lineup. Her career highlights include a stunning 168 against Pakistan in the 2009 World Cup and another century against the same opposition in 2022 on home soil. She has also contributed significantly with the ball, particularly early in her career, with multiple four-wicket hauls in ODIs and T20Is.
Bates captained New Zealand between 2011 and 2018, with her standout year coming in 2013 when she topped the run charts at the ODI World Cup in India. She also earned major ICC honours, including ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2013 and a rare double award in 2016 as both ODI and T20I Cricketer of the Year.
More recently, she played a key leadership role in New Zealand's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph and finished among the team's leading run-scorers.
Now, Bates will aim to conclude her career on a high as New Zealand chase back-to-back T20 World Cup titles, with the White Ferns placed in Group B alongside England, Ireland, Scotland, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
