New Zealand's Suzie Bates has etched her name in the history books by surpassing Mithali Raj's record to become the most-capped player in women's international cricket. This milestone was achieved during the final of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 on October 20th, 2024, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Bates, aged 37, made her international debut in 2006 at the tender age of 19. Her 334th international match, a T20I, marked this historic achievement. Mithali Raj, the former Indian captain, previously held the record with 333 matches. Other notable players on the list of most-capped women's cricketers include Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry (322), current Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur (316), and legendary English cricketer Charlotte Edwards (309).
Women's cricketers to play most international matches
Suzie Bates – 334 (163 ODIs and 171 T20Is)
Mithali Raj – 333 (12 Tests, 232 ODIs and 89 T20Is)
Ellyse Perry – 322 (13 Tests, 147 ODIs and 162 T20Is)
Harmanpreet Kaur – 316 (6 Tests, 133 ODIs and 177 T20Is)
Charlotte Edwards – 309 (23 Tests, 191 ODIs and 95 T20Is)
An 18-year veteran of the game, Bates is widely regarded as one of New Zealand's greatest cricketers. She holds the distinction of being the first batter in T20I history to reach the 4000-run milestone, a feat achieved before the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Babar Azam.
Bates is also part of an elite group of cricketers, including Harmanpreet Kaur, Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, and Stafanie Taylor, who have participated in every edition of the Women's T20 World Cup. In addition to her T20I prowess, Bates has also made significant contributions in ODI cricket, amassing 5718 runs in 163 matches, including 13 centuries and 34 half-centuries.
Bates shone with the bat for New Zealand in the Women's T20 World Cup final against South Africa as she clocked 32 runs off 31 balls riding on three fours to help her team post a challenging total of 158/5.
New Zealand ended up lifting the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 trophy after beating South Africa by 32 runs
New Zealand's Playing XI
Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(w), Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas
South Africa's Playing XI
Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Chloe Tryon, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta(w), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka
