Born: 1987 (Dunedin, New Zealand)
Biography:
Suzie Bates, born Suzannah Wilson Bates on September 16, 1987, is a prominent New Zealand cricketer and former captain of the national women’s cricket team. Hailing from Dunedin, she has made significant contributions to both domestic and international cricket, establishing herself as one of the most accomplished players in the sport.
Bates began her cricketing journey by representing the Otago Sparks in domestic cricket. Her impressive performances soon caught the attention of selectors, and in 2006, she made her debut for the White Ferns, the New Zealand women’s cricket team. Since then, Bates has been an integral part of the team, showcasing her exceptional skills with both bat and ball.
Known for her powerful batting, Bates holds the record for the highest score and batting average in the New Zealand Women’s Twenty20 cricket team. Her ability to consistently score runs has earned her numerous accolades throughout her career. In 2013, Bates was named the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, highlighting her exceptional performances in one-day internationals. She continued her dominance in 2016, winning both the ICC Women’s ODI and T20I Cricketer of the Year awards.
Bates is not just limited to cricket; she has also represented New Zealand in women’s basketball. In the 2008 Summer Olympics, she had the honor of wearing the national colors on the basketball court. She played professional basketball for the Christchurch Sirens in the Australian Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) before transitioning to the Otago Gold Rush and the Logan Thunder.
In addition to her playing career, Bates has also ventured into coaching. In 2021, she joined the Otago Nuggets as an assistant coach for the New Zealand NBL season, showcasing her commitment to nurturing and developing young talent.
Throughout her cricketing journey, Bates has achieved several significant milestones. In June 2018, she scored her tenth century in Women’s One Day Internationals (WODIs), amassing an impressive 151 runs against Ireland. This century also made her the leading run-scorer for the New Zealand Women’s team in WODIs, surpassing the previous record held by Debbie Hockley.
Bates’ success extended to the Twenty20 International format as well. In June 2018, she scored her first century in WT20I cricket during a match against South Africa Women in the 2018 England Women’s Tri-Nation Series. This remarkable feat propelled her to become the leading run-scorer in the format, surpassing the previous record held by Charlotte Edwards. Additionally, she became the second woman, after Jenny Gunn, to play in 100 WT20I matches.
Recognizing Bates’ exceptional skills and contributions, New Zealand Cricket awarded her a central contract in August 2018. However, she stepped down as the captain of the New Zealand team in September 2018, making way for Amy Satterthwaite to assume the leadership role.
Bates’ excellence was not limited to international cricket; she also showcased her abilities in the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 tournament. During the tournament, she became the first cricketer, male or female, to score 3,000 runs in Twenty20 International matches. Her outstanding performances earned her the distinction of being named the standout player in the New Zealand team by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
In addition to her international cricket career, Bates has also played for the Adelaide Strikers in the Women’s Big Bash League, further expanding her global cricketing experience.
With her remarkable achievements on and off the field, Suzie Bates has solidified her place as one of New Zealand’s most successful and influential female cricketers. Her dedication, skill, and leadership have not only elevated her own career but have also inspired countless young aspiring cricketers around the world.
Awards:
– ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2013
– ICC Women’s ODI and T20I Cricketer of the Year 2016