Michael Bates, a left-arm fast bowler, represented New Zealand in the 2002 Under-19 World Cup. He made his first-class debut for Auckland in the 2003-04 season but did not get another first-class game till 2007-08, and became a regular member of the XI only in 2009. He was named Auckland Cricketer of the Year in 2009-10 and he followed that with another excellent season in 2010-11. Bates destroyed the visiting Pakistanis in a tour match in December 2010, taking 4 for 11 in a three-over spell that claimed Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez. In the 2010-11 HRV Cup, Bates starred in Auckland's triumph over defending-champions Central Districts. He had earned a reputation for his death bowling in the tournament, but, after his side scored 158, it was his opening spell that all but sealed the game for them: he produced a triple-wicket maiden in the first over of the chase. In March, he picked up his fourth first-class five-for, against Northern Districts, following an unbeaten knock of 69 in the same match. He received his maiden call-up to the New Zealand squad for the ODIs and Twenty20s against Zimbabwe in February 2012
ESPNcricinfo staff