Suzie Bates Breaks Mithali Raj's Record To Become Most Capped Player In Women's Cricket

Legendary batter Suzie Bates, who was in action for New Zealand on Sunday (October 20) in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 final played against South Africa at Dubai International Stadium, created history by becoming the most capped player in women’s cricket. The 37-year-old cricketer broke former Indian captain Mithali Raj’s record. During her 23-year-long career, Mithali played in a total of 333 matches for the Indian team, whereas the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 was Bates 334th international match for the White Ferns.

She has played in a total of 163 ODIs and 171 T20Is for the New Zealand team so far since making her debut against India during an ODI match played in Lincoln on March 4, 2024.

Bates holds the record for scoring most runs in women’s T20Is. In 168 innings, she has amassed a total of 4584 runs. With 5178 runs to her name, she is also the all-time leading run scorer for New Zealand in women’s ODIs and third overall.

Apart from her batting, Bates has proved her worth with the ball as well and has 78 and 59 wickets to her name in ODIs and T20Is, respectively.

In the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, the 37-year-old and 35-day-old cricketer played in all six matches for the Sophie Devine-led side and hammered 150 runs. She finished the tournament as the joint leading run scorer for the White Ferns and also picked up one wicket in the second semifinal match played against the West Indies in Sharjah on October 18.

In the list of players with most matches in women’s cricket, Bates and Mithali are followed by legendary Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and former England skipper Charlotte Edwards.

Most capped players in women’s cricket

• 334* – Suzie Bates (New Zealand)
• 333 – Mithali Raj (India)
• 322: Ellyse Perry (Australia)
• 316 – Harmanpreet Kaur (India)
• 309 – Charlotte Edwards (England)

At the age of 37 years and 34 days, she also became the oldest cricketer in Women’s T20 World Cup history to win the title. In the summit clash, New Zealand defeated South Africa by 32 runs to become the fourth team in history to become Women’s T20 World Cup winners.