Cricket often measures greatness not just in centuries and wickets, but in the enduring stories of perseverance and legacy, and Suzie Bates’ journey is a story carved in time. The 38-year-old veteran batting all-rounder etched her name firmly in women’s cricket history by becoming the first-ever player to make 350 international appearances, a landmark achieved in New Zealand’s ongoing ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 fixture against South Africa, led by Laura Wolvaardt, at the Holkar Stadium, Indore.
Suzie Bates Scripts History with 350th International Appearance for New Zealand
It was a day meant for celebration, even if the match itself offered heartbreak for her, as Bates, marking her fifth appearance in a World Cup campaign, fell for a golden duck, bowled by Marizanne Kapp on the very first delivery of the contest. Earlier, skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and opted to bat first in pursuit of redemption after an 89-run defeat against Australia in their opening match at the same venue.
Suzie Bates’ international journey began on 4th March 2006, in an ODI against India at Lincoln, a debut that set the stage for nearly two decades of brilliance in the White Fern jersey. Since that day, Bates has become the heartbeat of New Zealand cricket, combining elegance, adaptability, and leadership across formats. In One-Day Internationals, her record stands tall, 5,896 runs in 173 matches at an average of 39.30 and a strike rate of 79.79. Her ODI career has been decorated with 13 centuries and 37 half-centuries, performances that reflect both consistency and class.
Her career-best knock came during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on 19th March 2009, when she demolished Pakistan’s bowling attack with an explosive 168 off just 105 balls at Sydney. The innings, laced with 19 boundaries and six sixes, remains one of the most dominant displays in Women’s World Cup history and propelled New Zealand to a 223-run victory, earning her the Player of the Match accolade.
With the ball, Bates has proven to be more than just a useful option, picking up 81 wickets at an average of 33.28 and an economy of 4.93 across 113 innings. Among her finest bowling performances was the 5-2-7-4 spell against South Africa on 12th March 2009 at Bowral, a display that dismantled the opposition and sealed a 199-run win for her side.
Bates’ impact in the game’s shorter format has been equally monumental. Making her T20I debut on 10th August 2007 against South Africa at Taunton, she redefined what it meant to be a consistent T20 scorer in the women’s game. Over 174 innings, she has accumulated 4,716 runs at an average of 29.11 and a strike rate of 108.58, credentials that place her among the elite batters in the format’s history.
Her fluent, unbeaten 124 from just 66 deliveries, again against South Africa at Taunton on 20th June 2018, remains a career highlight, a masterpiece of controlled aggression featuring 16 boundaries and three maximums, powering New Zealand to a 66-run win.
Beyond her batting, Bates’ contributions with the ball have enriched her credentials as a complete all-rounder. Her 60 wickets in T20Is have come at an average of 23.41 and an economy rate of 6.57, with a memorable spell of 3-0-26-4 against Australia on 20th February 2011 at Invercargill standing out as one of her finest performances, despite her side narrowly losing by three runs.
Few players have exhibited such sustained excellence on the World Cup stage. In 29 Women’s ODI World Cup matches so far, Bates has scored 1,179 runs at an average of 51.26 and a strike rate of 84.21, including four centuries and five fifties. Her contributions have often carried New Zealand forward in some of their most defining contests. Among active cricketers, she currently holds the distinction of being the leading run-scorer in the history of the tournament, a testament to her competitive resilience and enduring class.
While milestones and numbers tell one part of the story, Suzie Bates’ influence extends beyond them. Over nearly two decades, she has been the face of New Zealand women’s cricket, a leader, a mentor, and a fierce competitor whose passion continues to reflect in every appearance. From captaining her side to mentoring the next generation, Bates’ presence has become synonymous with the evolution of the women’s game itself.
Though her 350th appearance came with personal disappointment, following a golden duck against South Africa and a nine-ball duck in the World Cup opener against Australia, her story remains unshaken. Every run scored, every wicket taken, and every time she steps onto the field, Bates continues to embody the spirit of perseverance and professionalism that defines women’s cricket’s modern era.
As the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 unfolds across India and Sri Lanka, Suzie Bates’ landmark will stand as an enduring reminder: greatness is not only measured by the highs, but by the unwavering dedication that bridges each moment, 350 times over, and still going strong.
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