Wellington — New Zealand batting legend Suzie Bates has officially announced her retirement from international cricket, set to take effect after the 2025 ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England and Wales, beginning June 12. New Zealand Cricket confirmed the news on Thursday, April 24, marking the end of an extraordinary 18-year international career that redefined women's cricket in the southern hemisphere. The 38-year-old all-rounder departs as one of the most decorated players in the history of the game.

A Career Built on Records and Resilience

Bates made her international debut against India in Lincoln in 2006 and never looked back, accumulating 362 international appearances — the most by any New Zealand women's cricketer. She leaves the game as New Zealand's all-time leading run-scorer in women's cricket across all formats, a feat that underscores her extraordinary longevity and consistency at the highest level.

Across her career, Bates smashed 14 centuries in international cricket and claimed 145 wickets with her medium-pace bowling. In ODI cricket alone, she registered 13 centuries — a tally surpassed only by Australian great Meg Lanning (15) and India opener Smriti Mandhana (14) among women cricketers globally. Her best ODI score of 168 came against Pakistan at the 2009 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup.

Bates in Her Own Words

Reflecting on her storied journey, Bates said she could not believe how quickly more than twenty years had passed, adding she was immensely proud to have worn the fern so many times and had been filled with enormous purpose and joy striving each day to be a better person, teammate, cricketer, and athlete for the team.

She also revealed her final ambition, stating her one last mission was to head to the UK — a place holding so many special memories — and win another World Cup. The statement captures the competitive fire that has defined her two-decade career.

Leadership, Accolades, and Peak Years

Bates captained the New Zealand White Ferns from 2011 to 2018, a period during which she reached the pinnacle of her individual form. In 2013, she was named the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year after dominating the Women's World Cup in India, finishing as the tournament's leading run-scorer. She claimed the same award again in 2016, alongside the ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year honour, cementing her status as a dual-format world-beater.

As a medium-pace bowler, Bates was particularly potent in her younger years, registering four-wicket hauls at both ODI level in 2009 and T20I level in 2011. Her ability to contribute with bat and ball made her one of the most complete all-rounders of her generation.

The 2024 T20 World Cup Triumph and Final Mission

The crowning team achievement of Bates' career arrived at the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, when New Zealand claimed the title for the first time in their history. Bates finished as the equal leading run-scorer for her side during that tournament, proving that even in the twilight of her career, she remained a match-winner.

She has also stepped in as captain in recent times when regular skipper and close friend Sophie Devine was unavailable, demonstrating her enduring leadership value within the squad. Now, she seeks to help the White Ferns defend their title on English soil — a fitting final chapter.

What Comes Next for New Zealand Women's Cricket

The White Ferns have been drawn in Group B for the 2025 Women's T20 World Cup, alongside hosts England, Ireland, Scotland, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. The tournament kicks off on June 12, and Bates' retirement will loom large over every match New Zealand plays.

Her departure will leave a significant void in the batting lineup and the dressing room's leadership culture. New Zealand Cricket will need to identify and groom a successor capable of matching the standards she set over nearly two decades. The transition will be one of the most closely watched developments in women's cricket through the remainder of 2025 and beyond.