Suzie Bates to end international career after the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup
New Zealand’s Suzie Bates will retire from international cricket after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England, where she hopes to help defend the title.
By SportCricket Desk · 24 Apr 2026 · 2 min read
Suzie Bates will retire from international cricket once the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is over. The former New Zealand captain has recently returned from a quadriceps injury and is expected to be named in the forthcoming 15-member squad.
One last campaign
New Zealand will go into the tournament as defending champions, and Bates wants to finish on a high. She said she was proud to have represented her country and spoke of the joy and purpose cricket has given her. Her final aim is to return to the UK, where she has many special memories, and push for another World Cup win. The squad travels to England in early May for a preparatory ODI and T20I series.
A career of firsts and records
Bates made her domestic debut aged just 15 in 2003 and her international debut in 2006. She is currently the leading run-scorer in women’s T20Is and ranks among the top run-getters in ODI history.
She captained New Zealand from 2011 for nearly seven years, playing a major role in the team’s growth and success. Bates thanked her family, team-mates, coaches and support staff for their constant backing.
Away from cricket, she has also played basketball for New Zealand, including at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
