Cricket Legend Suzie Bates Retires After 20-Year Career

After two decades of breaking records and inspiring generations, cricket star Suzie Bates is hanging up her bat on her own terms.

The New Zealand all-rounder announced she'll retire from international cricket following this year's Women's T20 World Cup in England. At 38, she's not slowing down but rather choosing the perfect final chapter: competing at the highest level in a country filled with special memories.

Bates holds the record as the all-time leading run-scorer in women's T20 internationals with 4,717 runs. She ranks fourth on the ODI charts and has taken 145 wickets while setting a record for catches in her position.

Her captain and teammate Melie Kerr called her "one of the greatest cricketers of all time" and a role model who paved the way for women's cricket. That recognition came from someone who knows excellence when she sees it.

The numbers tell only part of the story. Bates led New Zealand through 151 matches as captain over seven years. She earned cricket bible Wisden's leading female player award in 2015 and won ICC's women's ODI cricketer of the year twice.

Why This Inspires

What makes Bates' journey truly remarkable is how she mastered not one but two sports at the elite level. Before becoming a cricket legend, she represented New Zealand in basketball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

She also already has a World Cup title, winning in 2024. Now she's chasing one more championship in England this summer before stepping away.

"I have one final mission: to head to the UK and win another World Cup," Bates said. Her commitment to excellence never wavered across 20 years wearing the fern with pride.

Looking back on her career, Bates expressed gratitude for the journey and the joy of striving daily to be better. That mindset of continuous improvement defines champions who inspire long after their playing days end.

New Zealand cricket fans will get one more chance to watch their hero compete at the World Cup from June 12 to July 5.