New Zealand all-rounder Suzie Bates will retire from international cricket after this year’s Women’s T20 World Cup, ending an illustrious 20-year career on the world stage.

The 38-year-old will be part of the White Ferns’ 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup taking place from 12 June to 5 July in England, where they will also play three ODIs and T20Is against the hosts next month.

A right-handed opening batter, Bates is the all-time leading run-scorer in women’s Twenty20 internationals with 4,717 runs and fourth on the ODI charts, while she has also claimed 145 wickets and a record number of catches.

“When I look back on the past 20-plus years, I can’t quite believe how quickly the time has gone,” said Bates, who also won the 2024 T20 World Cup.

“I’m immensely proud to have worn the fern so many times, and I’ve been filled with enormous purpose and joy in striving each day to be a better person, team-mate, cricketer, and athlete for this team.

“I have one final mission: to head to the UK – a place that holds so many special memories for me – and win another World Cup.”