Suzie Bates Explained: New Zealand Women's All-Time Leading Run-Scorer
How a right-handed opening batter from Dunedin became New Zealand Women's all-time leading run-scorer across all formats — one of women's cricket's most prolific batters and a dual-sport international who also represented New Zealand at basketball.
Suzie Bates (born 16 September 1987 in Dunedin, New Zealand) is a right-handed opening batter who plays for New Zealand Women. She is New Zealand Women's all-time leading run-scorer across all international formats — a prolific batter who has been the foundation of New Zealand Women's batting for almost two decades, and one of the sport's most consistent long-term performers across T20I, ODI, and Test cricket.
New Zealand Women's All-Time Leading Run-Scorer
Bates holds New Zealand Women's all-time run-scoring record across international cricket — an accumulation of runs that reflects nearly two decades of consistent international performance. All-time run-scoring records in any format are the ultimate measure of sustained international excellence: they require not just exceptional batting ability, but the fitness, form, and selection to remain an international cricketer across multiple phases of one's career and through multiple generations of teammates.
Dual International: Cricket and Basketball
Before focusing exclusively on cricket, Bates represented New Zealand at basketball — competing at international level in two different sports. Playing two sports at international level is extraordinarily rare: it requires exceptional athletic ability, exceptional tactical understanding across different sporting contexts, and the physical conditioning to perform at elite level in two physically demanding activities. Her decision to focus on cricket proved correct, given the records she subsequently set.
Opening Batter Role
Bates opens the batting for New Zealand Women — facing the new ball in all three formats and providing New Zealand Women with the stable, consistent platform their batting lineup needs. Her technical correctness and ability to build long innings in ODI and Test cricket, combined with her capacity to accelerate in T20I cricket, makes her one of the most complete batters in women's cricket history. New Zealand Women's batting lineup is built around Bates as its most reliable performer.
ICC Women's World Cups
Bates has represented New Zealand Women at multiple ICC Women's World Cups across both the T20I and ODI formats — competing at the highest level over a career spanning almost two decades of ICC tournaments. New Zealand Women are consistent ICC World Cup competitors, and Bates's performances across multiple tournaments have been central to New Zealand Women's ability to compete against the world's top-ranked teams over such a sustained period.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Suzie Bates?
Suzie Bates (born 16 September 1987, Dunedin) is New Zealand Women's all-time leading run-scorer across all international formats — one of women's cricket's most prolific batters. She has been ranked number one in the world in both Women's T20I and Women's ODI batting by the ICC, and previously represented New Zealand at international basketball before focusing on cricket.
What records does Suzie Bates hold?
She holds New Zealand Women's all-time run-scoring record across international formats. She has also been ranked number one in the ICC Women's T20I and ODI batting rankings — the highest individual recognition available in both formats.
Did Suzie Bates play other sports?
Yes — before focusing on cricket, Bates represented New Zealand at international basketball. Playing two sports at international level is extraordinarily rare and reflects her exceptional athletic ability across different sporting disciplines.