Suzie Bates’ Personal Details
Name: Suzannah Wilson Bates
Date of Birth: September 16, 1987
Batting style: Right hand Bat
Bowling style: Right arm Medium
Role: Allrounder
Suzie Bates’ journey reflects not only personal excellence but also the broader growth of women’s cricket in New Zealand and worldwide. From backyard games in Dunedin to captaining her nation and breaking global records, Bates has been a trailblazer. Her dual-sport background, attacking batting, calm leadership, and professional longevity make her a role model for aspiring athletes.
Growing up with two older brothers, she developed her competitive spirit and cricketing skills in the backyard. Much of her early cricket was played in boys’ teams, which toughened her approach and sharpened her technique. Her talent was first spotted when she represented Otago Girls’ High School in a national competition. By the age of 15, she had already broken into the Otago Sparks, beginning her journey in New Zealand’s domestic circuit.
This early exposure to competitive cricket laid the foundation for her future as one of the finest batters in women’s cricket. Before cricket became her sole pursuit, Bates juggled two sporting passions – cricket and basketball. Her athletic versatility saw her represent New Zealand in basketball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a rare feat for an international cricketer. However, once she was entrusted with the captaincy of the White Ferns in 2011, cricket took precedence, marking the start of a new chapter in her sporting career.
Suzie Bates International Career
Bates made her international debut in 2006 against India, immediately marking herself as a talent to watch. A natural batting allrounder, she played in the top order, combining elegance with power. At just 19 years old, she scored her first ODI century, a sign of the prolific run-getter she would become. Her breakthrough moment came during the 2009 ICC Women’s World Cup, where New Zealand reached the final.
Bates was a central figure: she produced a stunning spell of 4 for 7 against South Africa with her medium pace and then crafted one of the greatest knocks in women’s cricket- a breathtaking 168 off 105 balls against Pakistan, laced with six sixes. It remains among the highest individual scores in women’s ODIs and was the defining innings of the tournament.
In July 2011, Bates was appointed captain of the White Ferns, succeeding Aimee Watkins. Unlike many players who struggle with the weight of leadership, Bates thrived. Her batting remained unaffected and even reached new heights under pressure. At the 2013 Women’s World Cup, although New Zealand finished fourth, she was named Player of the Tournament, underlining her influence. Later that year, she was crowned ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year.
Bates’ leadership qualities extended beyond New Zealand. She was chosen to captain the Rest of the World XI against MCC Women at Lord’s in 2014, a rare honor that highlighted her global stature. In 2018, she scored her tenth century in WODIs, with 151 runs against Ireland, and in the same match, she also became the leading run-scorer for New Zealand Women in WODIs, passing Debbie Hockley’s total of 4064 runs.
Suzie Bates was among the first women in New Zealand to become a full-time professional cricketer after being awarded one of the inaugural central contracts by New Zealand Cricket in April 2013. She went on to feature in leading domestic T20 competitions worldwide, including the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia and the Kia Super League in England, further enhancing her reputation as a global star.
As of 2025, Bates remains among the all-time leading run-scorers in women’s ODIs: 5896 runs, including 13 centuries and 37 half-centuries, at an average of 39.83. She holds the record for the most runs in Women’s T20Is and boasts the highest batting average for New Zealand in the format.
She has inspired a generation of female cricketers to pursue the sport full-time, while her on-field heroics have etched her name into cricketing history. Whether through her towering sixes, marathon innings, or tactical leadership, Suzie Bates’ legacy will remain synonymous with the rise of women’s cricket on the global stage.
