White Ferns veteran Suzie Bates to retire from international cricket after ICC Women's T20 World Cup

Suzie Bates has announced her retirement from international cricket and the forthcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England will be her last assignment as a White Fern.

Bates, 38, is set to be named in White Ferns' 15-player squad for the marquee tournament. She will depart for England alongside the rest of the squad in early May to feature in a white-ball series against England, comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is. 

The bilateral contest will get underway with the first ODI on May 10 in Chester-Le-Street. It will culminate with the two sides squaring off against one another in the 3rd T20I in Hove on May 25.

Bates said she wanted to "get this announcement out of the way" to focus entirely on defending their T20 World Cup crown.

"Doing something I've absolutely loved for over 20 years has been such a privilege and it was something that I never ever wanted to give up and I'd do it forever if I could," said Bates in a video released by the White Ferns. "But for me the time is right now to put away my White Ferns jersey after this upcoming mission and watch the future of this White Ferns team carry this team forward. 

"So I can't wait to get on that final mission to the UK and defend our 20-over World Cup title and that will be my sole focus but I just wanted to get this announcement out of the way so the team and I could focus on what's coming up because it's going to be a huge couple of months."

Bates thanked the fans for their unconditional support throughout her journey and said she was proud of her journey as an international cricketer and a White Fern.

"But a huge shout out to all you fans that has made this journey so worthwhile," Bates added. "When I first started as a young 18 year old I was very naive and didn't know what the world of cricket was going to look like now and the fact that it's professional in this country and globally makes me so proud from where it came from and to be part of that journey has been really special and I can't wait to follow the game in the future. So thank you for all your support for following the Women's game and following the White Ferns."

Bates draws curtains on 20-year-long career

Bates made her ODI debut against India on March 4, 2006, in Lincoln. Her T20I debut came a year and five months later against South Africa in Taunton on August 10, 2007. She holds the record for leading the Whiter Ferns in most matches (79) as captain. White Ferns won 42 and lost 35 ODIs under her captaincy, with two no results.

With 4717 runs, Bates is the leading run accumulator in Women's T20Is. Bates was the first player to ever win the ICC ODI and T20I Women's Cricketer of the Year in the same season (2015-2016). She was also the first player to record a T20I century, and her 124* (vs South Africa) is still the highest individual score for the White Ferns in the shortest format.