“I’m immensely proud to have worn the fern so many times,” said Suzie Bates, reflecting on her illustrious career as she prepares for retirement after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. This tournament marks the end of a remarkable 20-year journey with the White Ferns.
Bates has been a cornerstone of New Zealand women’s cricket. Over her career, she has captained the national side on 151 occasions and is recognized as the all-time leading run-scorer in Women’s T20 Internationals with an impressive 4,717 runs.
Her contributions go beyond numbers—Bates was named ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2013 and ranks fourth in Women’s ODIs with 5,964 runs. Yet, it’s her leadership and passion that have inspired many young cricketers.
Ben Sawyer, head coach of the White Ferns, commented on the emerging talent within the squad: “We’ve got some exciting young talent in this squad with the likes of Emma, Izzy, Nensi, and Flora, alongside our core group of seasoned campaigners.” This blend of youth and experience could pave the way for a strong showing in England.
The upcoming ODI series will see newcomers like Flora Devonshire and Nensi Patel make their international debuts. They will join seasoned players as they compete in matches across Durham, Northampton, and Cardiff.
As Bates steps away from international play, Melie Kerr stated simply but powerfully: “Suzie really is one of the greatest cricketers of all time.” Her legacy will undoubtedly shape future generations.
Geoff Allott’s recent appointment as chief executive of New Zealand Cricket adds another layer to this transitional period for women’s cricket in New Zealand. Diana Puketapu-Lyndon praised Allott’s unique qualifications for this role—his deep cricket expertise and governance experience are invaluable.
The White Ferns will kick off their tour with a warm-up match against an ECB development XI on May 6. Fans eagerly await to see how this talented squad performs as they gear up for the T20 World Cup.
On Wednesday, selectors will announce the squad for both the T20 leg series and the World Cup. The anticipation is palpable as fans hope to see how these changes unfold.
