Durham Cricket has made a groundbreaking move by signing New Zealand’s cricketing legend, Suzie Bates, as their first-ever women's overseas player. This historic signing marks a significant step forward for Durham in their commitment to advancing women's cricket.

Bates, a veteran with 348 international caps, will join Durham for the entire 2025 season, making her available for both the T20 Blast and the One-Day Cup. Her impressive career includes being the highest run-scorer in T20 internationals with 4,716 runs, nearly 1,000 more than her closest competitor, India’s Smriti Mandhana. In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Bates has amassed 5,896 runs, including 13 centuries, and is the only New Zealand woman to surpass 10,000 white-ball runs.

Expressing her excitement, Bates said, "I can't wait to get over to Durham and join a talented squad. I’m eager to add my experience to the group and get stuck into the season."

Bates’ Illustrious Career

Suzie Bates has been a cornerstone of New Zealand cricket since her debut in 2006. She has not only excelled in cricket but also represented New Zealand in basketball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her cricketing accolades include being named Player of the Tournament in the 2013 World Cup and the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year the same year. In 2015, she was honored as Wisden’s Leading Women’s Cricketer in the World.

Her leadership skills were on full display when she captained the Oval Invincibles to victory in The Hundred in 2022. Most recently, Bates was the leading run-scorer in the T20 World Cup in South Africa, where New Zealand clinched their first-ever title.

Durham’s Vision for Women’s Cricket

Durham’s Director of Cricket, Marcus North, highlighted the significance of this signing: "This is an historic moment for Durham, and we are thrilled to welcome a player of Suzie’s calibre to the club. Her record internationally and domestically is second to none, and with her wide range of experience across the globe, she will be the perfect fit for our group going into the 2025 season."

This signing is part of Durham’s broader strategy to elevate women’s cricket, including plans for an elite women’s sports facility announced earlier this year. With Bates on board, Durham is poised to make a strong impact in the upcoming seasons.