Today Otago Sparks legend Suzie Bates is set to become one of just five women to chalk up 100 T20 appearances for a single team in New Zealand's Dream11 Super Smash!
The southern Super-star is poised to join longtime Sparks teammate, now Super Smash commentator Katey Martin (103); retired Canterbury Magicians legend Amy Satterthwaite (105); another Magicians icon and commentator; Frankie Mackay (113) and retired Auckland Hearts dynamo Katie Perkins (113) in the 100 Super Smash T20 caps club.
And it's not the only major milestone Bates is ticking off today - with a statchat first:
800 career games for Suzie Bates today (337 List A, 463 T20). The first female cricketer to reach this mark. Suzie has played for many teams all over the world during her long career, but still turns out for her beloved @OtagoCricket at every opportunity. @WHITE_FERNS
— Francis Payne (@FPayne100) December 30, 2024
A handful of other stellar women on the scene like Kate Ebrahim and Maddy Green have also chalked up 100 Super Smash appearances, but not for the same team.
Take a look at some of our favourite Bates snaps over the years since her 2007/08 debut, a magnificent career for the "Sparkies" that's still going strong.
Catch today's New Years Eve game against the Central Hinds from Alexandra on TVNZ+ and TVNZ Duke from 12.40PM, free to air with livescoring here at www.supersmash.co.nz and on the NZC app.
All ahead of her in 2008 at Karori Park | PHOTOSPORT
2017 styles against at Auckland's Melville Park | PHOTOSPORT
Trophy time in 2017, a first title for the Sparks, guess who top-scoring with 74 | PHOTOSPORT
A maiden Super Smash unbeaten century against Northern in 2019 | PHOTOSPORT
Bowling mode at Molyneux, 2019 | PHOTOSPORT
Very safe hands! One of 65 Bates catches in the Super Smash, 2019 | PHOTOSPORT
On the attack at McLean, 2020 | PHOTOSPORT
2022 Grand Final fizz! | PHOTOSPORT
Hard out in the 2021/22 Grand Final against Wellington Blaze | PHOTOSPORT
One-handed diving speccy? No problem - 2019/20 against the Hearts | PHOTOSPORT
Easy as you like - two of just five players reaching the 100 caps club, 2017 | PHOTOSPORT
