Anchor, Dominator: Suzie Bates

Women’s cricket has grown a lot in New Zealand over the years with a significant improvement in its quality. They are not one of the pushover teams, but real dominators of the game. The White Ferns rank 3rd in T20Is and 5th in ODIs. They grabbed their first ICC trophy in 2000 when they won the Women's World Cup. The second one came in 2024, when they became champions of the T20 World Cup in UAE. Because of their exceptional performances in ICC and bilateral events, the players are highly ranked. The team has some exceptionally talented sportswomen, in which some are pillars of the team, while the others are future faces of New Zealand cricket.  

Today, in this article by ZAP cricket, we will talk about one of the anchors of the New Zealand Women’s Team- Suzannah Wilson Bates, commonly known as Suzie Bates. 

She is one of the few players who has featured in every edition of the T20 World Cup so far. First edition was played in 2009 and since then she has been representing her country in every edition. Not only that, she was one of the crucial members of the squad that lifted the 2024 T20 Women’s World Cup. She and Sophie Devine were the senior veterans and both of them made sure that their side didn't go empty handed back home this time. 

Early life and domestic cricket of Suzie Bates

Born on 16 September, 1987, Suzie played domestic cricket for Otago Sparks.She is right hand batter and a part time right arm off spinner. Her cricket journey started quite early. However, not many people are aware of the fact that Bates was a professional basketballer as well. She even represented New Zealand in 2008 Summer Olympics.

Since Bates used to engage in multiple sports, her childhood juggled between cricket ground and basketball court. Although, that hard work didn’t go in vain as all the fitness she developed in those initial years is now helping her become a better cricketer.  

International career of Suzie Bates 

Bates made her ODI debut on 4 March, 2006 vs India and T20I debut 10 August, 2007 vs South Africa. Following are the major achievements of her career so far: 

• Won ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2013
• Won Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the world in 2015
• Won ICC Women’s ODI and T20I Cricketer of the Year in 2016
• Won 2024 T20 World

International stats of Suzie Bates

International centuries of Suzie Bates 

Suzie Bates in franchise cricket 

Suzie Bates has played for three teams in Women’s Big Bash League. Initially, in 2015, she was picked by Perth Scorchers. Then in 2017 she signed with Adelaide Strikers. Lastly, in 2022, she joined Sydney Sixers. She holds massive experience in this league as she has already played some 100 odd games. She has scored 2229 runs and taken 35 wickets combined in all the three franchises. Apart from that, she plays for Guyana Amazon Warriors in CPL and for Oval Invincibles in The Hundred.

Bates has not been signed by any of franchise in WPL but we are hopeful that whenever she comes she’ll be a standout player her as well.