Bates announced her impending retirement from international cricket this week and will leave an enormous gap both on and off the field
Tsukigawa was an early role model for the White Ferns and Otago great.
They shared the dressing room with the Sparks and also with the White Ferns.
She is also a good friend. They have known each other for more than 25 years.
Then, two years ago, Tsukigawa was appointed women’s national selector and had to consider Bates’ performances from a different angle.
She is uniquely placed to reflect on the Bates’ legacy.
‘‘Some people are really into stats, which is great,’’ Tsukigawa said.
‘‘But think her legacy is more about what she gave to the game and the way she helped younger players come through.
‘‘For a lot of players playing with her, they grew up with her as their idol.
‘‘Sometimes people who are that good can be pretty selfish on the field, whereas she is so giving.
‘‘I think her legacy is as much about that ... and I think that's why she's so revered.
‘‘She brings that real joy to the game and she's had that since she was very young as well. She would just be that energiser in the team that kind of made everyone smile.’’
From a technical point of view, Tsukigawa felt the late Mike Shrimpton had a huge impact on Bate’s career.
‘‘When she was working with him, that aligned with her being No 1 in the world.’’
But what made Bates so great as a player was her attention to detail, Tsukigawa said.
‘‘And her expectations of herself have always been so, so high.
‘‘She's someone who doesn't accept mediocrity and that starts with training, type of thing. So you can't go out and bat well if you don't train well.’’
Bates was, in a sense, professional before the game was professional. And in that way, she helped pave the way for others, Tsukigawa suggested.
Former Otago Sparks and White Ferns coach Warren Lees was another who influenced Bates.
Lees has worn a lot of hats over the years. He has both played in and coached the New Zealand men’s team. He has been an administrator, a commentator and a guy who cannot say no when the game calls.
He has put a lot back into the sport and he cannot speak more highly of Bates.
‘‘I can't think of anyone who has given so much to the game of cricket in New Zealand, men or women. I honestly can't,’’ Lees said.
He described her as someone who would go out of her way to help the younger players feel comfortable in the environment. That could be anything from just sitting with them at lunch to helping them out in an extra net session.
‘‘She always wanted to say yes,’’ Lees said.
‘‘She was caring of every new and older and out-of-form or injured player. And there were times where some of those really experienced players leaned on her so heavily — on the strongest person in their group.’’
New Zealand Cricket head of women’s high performance development Liz Green said Bates’ had an enormous impact on the game.
“The women’s game has been able to develop into what it is today because of players like her,’’ Green said.
“You’ll hear a lot about her contributions on the field, but it’s who she is as a player, team-mate, and role model off the field that makes her one of the all time greats, not only here in New Zealand but also internationally.
“She’ll leave the game with a profound legacy and will continue to inspire the next generation of players for years to come and that’s something pretty special to hang your hat on.”
