Suzie Bates will retire from international cricket after the 2026 T20 World Cup

“When I look back on the last 20 plus years, I can’t quite believe how quickly time has gone by,” said Bates. “I am immensely proud to wear the fern so many times, and I am filled with enormous purpose and joy to strive every day to be a better person, teammate, cricketer and athlete for this team.

“I have one final mission: to go to the United Kingdom – 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, and dedicate every minute to helping this team play the kind of cricket that we, and our country, can be proud of.”

Apart from cricket, Bates also represented New Zealand in basketball and appeared for the Tall Ferns at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“To my loved ones, my family, thank you for always being there,” she said. “And to my mate Scotty and his boys: you have shared in all the highs and the lows this great game has brought to my life. I also want 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.”

“Suzie was my role model growing up, and I was lucky enough to make the team when she was captain,” Kerr said. “If you have ever been lucky enough to play with her, you will know that she is one of the most selfless cricketers in the world and one of the best teammates.

“Her record speaks for itself, she has been leading the way in women’s cricket for a long time, and what she has done for cricket, the women’s game and sport in New Zealand, she should be very proud of. She will be greatly missed in the White Ferns whānau (family), but I know she still has a little more in the tank.”

Liz Green, Head of Women’s High Performance Development, 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 was 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, teammate and role model off the field that makes her one of the all-time greats, not just here in New Zealand, but internationally.

“She will 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.”