New Zealand all-rounder Suzie Bates will retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the White Ferns' T20 World Cup campaign in England. The 38-year-old announced her decision Friday, marking the end of a 20-year career.
Bates, the most capped female international player with 362 appearances for the White Ferns across ODIs and T20Is, aims to win a second T20 World Cup title in England. She is the all-time leading run-scorer in women's T20Is with 4,717 runs and the first woman to score 25,000 runs in all formats. Bates also holds records for the most catches in women's ODIs and T20Is.
She made her international debut in 2006 and captained New Zealand in 151 matches. Beyond cricket, Bates represented New Zealand in basketball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Current captain Amelia Kerr described Bates as "one of the greatest cricketers of all time" and a role model who will be "hugely missed." The Women's T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 12.