We want to see Suzie dance.
And not just down the wicket.
We want to see Suzie Bates bust out some moves like a video that went viral following the White Ferns’ shock 2024 T20 World Cup victory.
That spontaneous moment was hard-earned.
The Otago great and former White Ferns captain had spent nearly two decades battling for a world title.
The emotion of finally reaching the stars moved her in ways that might not get her signed by the Royal New Zealand Ballet any time soon. Gangnam Style is so last decade, Suzie.
But it was a release of emotion to which we can all relate.
A moment when her joy wiped away all the frustration, all the disappointment, all the sacrifices and all the years of living out of a suitcase.
We thought then it might be her last outing. It wasn’t.
She is back and joining old friend Sophie Devine for another shot at glory at this year’s ODI World Cup in India. Devine will retire from ODI cricket at the end of the tournament.
Bates, who is 38, has not made any such announcement. But she has been quoted as being increasingly focused on schooling up the next generation.
Whatever the future holds, we can rely on Bates finding a way to shine on the global stage as she always has.
The right-hander is the third highest all-time scorer in the format. In 171 games for the White Ferns, she has collected 5896 runs at an average of 39.83 at a strike rate of 79.90.
Earlier in her career, she was a very handy medium pacer and her 81 wickets at an average of 33.28 should not be overlooked.
Actually, only five players have taken more wickets for the White Ferns in the format.
She has opened the batting and the bowling in the same match, which further highlights her value to the side.
The list of accolades is much longer. But let’s leave it by saying she remains a vital cog in the White Ferns as they look to lift the Women’s ODI World Cup for the first time since 2000 and just the second time in their history.
They open their campaign tomorrow night against the tournament favourites, Australia.
Our old foes from across the Tasman are the defending champions and seven-time winners of the trophy.
England have four wins and New Zealand are the only other side to have held the trophy aloft.
The tournament gets under way tonight with India hosting Sri Lanka in Guwahati.
The format for the 13th edition is nice and simple.
All eight teams will play each other in a round robin. The four highest-ranked sides at the end of the pool play will progress through to the semifinals and, if they are lucky, into the final scheduled for early November.
There is not just glory at stake.
The ICC has increased the overall prize money to $NZ24 million. That is an almost 300% increase in the total prize pool from 2022 and surpasses the total prize money of the men’s 2023 World Cup.
The winners will get a share of $7.8m.
That is a lot of reasons to dance.
Players to watch out for
Batter
India’s Smriti Mandhana smoked back-to-back centuries against Australia this month. The left-hander is the ICC No 1-ranked ODI batter and more than capable of match-winning performances. The 29-year-old has an average closing in on 50 in the format and she has clocked more than 100 games. She will enjoy playing in home conditions.
Bowler
Left-arm spinners can be kryptonite for right-handed batters. That makes England star Sophie Ecclestone one very threatening bowler. She is the best in the business. She is accurate and economical and builds pressure one dot ball at a time. The 26-year-old also has 125 wickets and will surely add plenty more during the World Cup.
Candlestick maker
There is nothing Melie Kerr cannot do on the cricket field. Not sure what she is like with wax, but with the willow, she is on her way to being New Zealand’s greatest. She has pushed her average well north of 40 and that will continue to swell. The legspinner needs one more wicket to join the 100 club, and perhaps she will capture that tomorrow night in the White Ferns opener against seven-time champions Australia.
White Ferns
The squad
Sophie Devine (captain), Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Georgia Plimmer, Suzie Bates, Flora Devonshire, Brooke Halliday, Amelie Kerr, Eden Carson, Bree Illing, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu.
Schedule
Tomorrow: v Australia
October 6: v South Africa
October 10: v Bangladesh
October 14: v Sri Lanka
October 18: v Pakistan
October 23: v India
October 26: v England
