New Zealand Legend To Retire After T20 World Cup

New Zealand Women team [Source: AFP]

New Zealand great Suzie Bates has announced her retirement from international cricket. The legendary all-rounder has set the upcoming 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England as her swansong tournament.

Bates, a veteran of over 350 internationals for the New Zealand Women’s team, started off her international career a couple of decades ago in Lincoln in March 2006. With 20 years of playing top-flight cricket, the Otago icon reached the pinnacle of her competitive career in October 2024 by lifting the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE.

Suzie Bates to bow out after T20 World Cup 2026

Suzie Bates is set to retire from international cricket following the conclusion of this year’s 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England. The legendary all-rounder herself confirmed the same on April 23, as shared by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on their official website.

Also Read- New Zealand Captain Amelia Kerr Joins Elite List With Historic ODI Feat In 200-Run Win

Reflecting her cricketing journey, Bates expressed her gratitude to all her teammates and other colleagues. She said “Words can’t truly express my gratitude to all my teammates and coaches along the way.”

The 38-year-old added “When I look back on the past twenty-plus years, I can’t quite believe how quickly the time has gone. 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 ready for “final mission” before retirement

Suzie Bates added that she is intending to bow out of the game by adding yet another T20 World Cup to her tally. Describing the 2026 event as her “one final mission”, she said “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.”

It is worth noting that Bates also played a crucial role in New Zealand’s triumphant crusade at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup back in October 2024. In six matches of the tournament, the prolific top-order batter aggregated 150 runs to emerge as New Zealand’s joint-highest scorer alongside teammate Georgia Plimmer.

A look back at Suzie Bates career

Suzie Bates made her international debut with an ODI match against India in Lincoln back in March 2006. She went on to represent her nation in 181 ODIs and 181 T20I matches for a combined haul of 362 internationals to date.

With an international aggregate of 10,681 runs, she is the fourth most successful batter in Women’s ODI history with 5,964 of those runs in 172 innings at a splendid average of 38.23.

Bates, who recently played New Zealand’s home white-ball series against South Africa, will now be expected to reprise her role in the ODIs and T20Is in England next month. The series against England will serve as New Zealand’s final dress rehearsal before the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the country between June 12 and July 5.

Also Read- Shardul Thakur Replaces Mitchell Santner As Concussion Substitute In MI vs CSK Match