Suzie Bates is an absolute giant of the game and someone who can be rightly called - and rather deservingly so- a titan of the women’s game.

In her ebb rest several dazzling achievements that have endeared her to the attention of her competitors and earned her respect from all quarters.

In the great game of cricket, you are a popular cricketer if you earn the regard of your own teammates but you become a high class top quality achiever if you earn the plaudits and respect of your competitors.

The regard for international competition

For someone who has always played the game with a sense of absolute responsibility, has upheld the integrity of the sport and furthered the appeal of- and conviction around- women’s cricket by virtue of her achievements, Suzie Bates (much like Sophie Devine and Amy Satterthwaite) is a cricketing trailblazer.

Truth be told, in her own right, Suzie Bates’s career stands for composure, pulls the right kind of punches and commands respect and adoration from all corners. She’s been a thoughtful medium fast bowler, a committed and exemplary batter and a former captain.

A career marked by longevity

Her career has been based on the fundamental principle of fairness and absolute commitment to her team’s cause and longevity has been its most distinct achievement. After all, Bates has been playing the sport for nearly 20 years.

That’s two decades of playing uncompromising, absolute high quality game in the top flight of women’s cricket for the White Ferns (the New Zealand women’s team).

And much like how every good story comes to an end, so too will this champion cricketer’s career. Suzie Bates just recently announced her intention of stepping away from international competitive cricket once the tour to the UK is over and post it, the women’s T20 World Cup.

Also Read | Suzie Bates breaks Mithali Raj’s record of most international matches in women’s cricket during T20 World Cup 2024 final

Why she’ll be missed

To take stock of all she’s done and achieved would take more than a day’s time but fair to say, across the pantheon of women who have represented the New Zealand women’s team including legends like Debbie Hockley, Suzie Bates’ standing in the game will be that of a champion and an absolute where it comes to counting incredible achievers.

At a glance 181 ODI’s, 5964 runs (avg of 38, 13 tons), 181 T20I, 4717 runs (avg of 29, 1 ton, 28 fifties).