Suzie Bates, the celebrated New Zealand cricketer, has announced her retirement from international cricket following the 2026 T20 World Cup. Recently returning from a quadriceps injury, Bates will be part of New Zealand's squad for the upcoming ODI and T20I tour of England in May. With a career spanning over 20 years, she has become the leading run-scorer in women's T20 internationals, accumulating 4,717 runs. Bates expressed her desire to win another World Cup, stating, "I have one final mission... and I'm going to give every ounce of my energy to this final quest." She made her international debut in 2006 and captained the team from 2011 to 2018. In addition to her cricketing achievements, Bates represented New Zealand in basketball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Colleagues and officials have praised her contributions to women's cricket, noting her role as a selfless teammate and a significant influence on the sport in New Zealand.