'Women's cricket could be as big as the men's in a decade'
New Zealand women's captain Suzie Bates runs the rule over her team-mates, and talks favourites
Interview by Jack Wilson
11-Jun-2016
Suzie Bates' potential alternative careers: basketball player and pop star • IDI/Getty Images
Where do you see women's cricket in ten years' time?
I think it could be as big as the men's game. In the last two years it's gone from strength to strength, so why can't it carry on like that? It'd be good to have big T20 leagues around the world - just like the men do - which get lots of TV airtime. Women's cricket is getting more and more professional all the time, the standard has gone up, and it's now a fantastic product in its own right.
I think it could be as big as the men's game. In the last two years it's gone from strength to strength, so why can't it carry on like that? It'd be good to have big T20 leagues around the world - just like the men do - which get lots of TV airtime. Women's cricket is getting more and more professional all the time, the standard has gone up, and it's now a fantastic product in its own right.
You are over in England to play for the Southern Vipers in the inaugural Super League. A few months earlier you were playing in the Big Bash. It seems like a good time to be a women's cricketer.
Absolutely. Firstly, the Big Bash was incredible. What an experience that was. Getting the best players in the world all together in one place is only going to improve us. I can't wait to get started with the Vipers. I know the timings in the Big Bash made it hard for people over in England to watch the women's matches. Hopefully the Super League will go just as well and we can show what we can do.
Absolutely. Firstly, the Big Bash was incredible. What an experience that was. Getting the best players in the world all together in one place is only going to improve us. I can't wait to get started with the Vipers. I know the timings in the Big Bash made it hard for people over in England to watch the women's matches. Hopefully the Super League will go just as well and we can show what we can do.
Few people in the world can say they have captained their country at a sport. What is it like to do that?
It makes me feel very, very proud, but I'd be lying if I said it isn't tough. It's a stressful job and I end up taking a lot of the losses to heart. It's hard to switch off too. I spend lots of time just thinking about the game, where other players can probably just get away from it all.
It makes me feel very, very proud, but I'd be lying if I said it isn't tough. It's a stressful job and I end up taking a lot of the losses to heart. It's hard to switch off too. I spend lots of time just thinking about the game, where other players can probably just get away from it all.
Your sporting path might have been a completely different one, mightn't it?
It could have. I played basketball for New Zealand at the 2008 Olympics, which was pretty cool. We didn't do very well but it was a great eye-opener. To see other top athletes up close, to see how they prepared and trained was fantastic. It's something I'm proud of, but I had to choose the cricket route. I couldn't do both.
It could have. I played basketball for New Zealand at the 2008 Olympics, which was pretty cool. We didn't do very well but it was a great eye-opener. To see other top athletes up close, to see how they prepared and trained was fantastic. It's something I'm proud of, but I had to choose the cricket route. I couldn't do both.
Who is the greatest women's cricketer that has ever lived?
Charlotte Edwards. She's just the biggest legend and one of a kind, which is why it's so sad to see her international career come to an end.
Charlotte Edwards. She's just the biggest legend and one of a kind, which is why it's so sad to see her international career come to an end.
What has been the best innings you have ever played?
I scored 99 for Otago against Auckland to help us win the 50-over title in 2014. We won with a ball to spare, and that was one of my proudest moments.
I scored 99 for Otago against Auckland to help us win the 50-over title in 2014. We won with a ball to spare, and that was one of my proudest moments.
What is your favourite shot?
The on-drive just past the stumps at the bowler's end.
The on-drive just past the stumps at the bowler's end.
How many grips do you have on your bat?
Just the one.
Just the one.
"Captaincy is a stressful job and I end up taking a lot of the losses to heart. It's hard to switch off too"
Where is best in the world to play cricket?
Playing county cricket in England has to be up there. I've only just got over here with Kent but I love the thought of going to all the different places to play.
Playing county cricket in England has to be up there. I've only just got over here with Kent but I love the thought of going to all the different places to play.
Who was your idol growing up?
I had two, really. I used to love watching Nathan Astle and Sachin Tendulkar. It was hard to have any female idols then. Hopefully that's all changed now.
I had two, really. I used to love watching Nathan Astle and Sachin Tendulkar. It was hard to have any female idols then. Hopefully that's all changed now.
You are picking a T20 women's all-star XI. Who would be the first name on your team sheet?
Meg Lanning. Bowling and captaining against her is just so hard. She seems to be able to hit the ball anywhere.
Meg Lanning. Bowling and captaining against her is just so hard. She seems to be able to hit the ball anywhere.
Which of your team-mates is the most superstitious?
Sian Ruck. She's very particular about all her stuff. If her food isn't labelled how she wants it, she can't bowl.
Sian Ruck. She's very particular about all her stuff. If her food isn't labelled how she wants it, she can't bowl.
Who is the messiest in the dressing room?
Katey Martin. She leaves everything everywhere. The problem is, she always loves to blame others when she can't find something, and accuses them of stealing it when it's her own fault.
Katey Martin. She leaves everything everywhere. The problem is, she always loves to blame others when she can't find something, and accuses them of stealing it when it's her own fault.
Who is the best dancer?
Well, Charlotte Edwards is the worst. She's a great batter but she can't dance! My New Zealand team-mate Hannah Rowe has got to be the best. She cuts some pretty good shapes.
Well, Charlotte Edwards is the worst. She's a great batter but she can't dance! My New Zealand team-mate Hannah Rowe has got to be the best. She cuts some pretty good shapes.
Who is the hardest trainer?
Katie Perkins works harder than anyone else I've come across. She always wants to hit a lot of balls to ensure she's in the best possible form. No one trains as hard as her.
Katie Perkins works harder than anyone else I've come across. She always wants to hit a lot of balls to ensure she's in the best possible form. No one trains as hard as her.
Who is the most naturally talented?
Sara McGlashan seems to be able to hit the ball wherever she wants to. She's incredibly gifted.
Sara McGlashan seems to be able to hit the ball wherever she wants to. She's incredibly gifted.
If you weren't a cricketer, what would you be?
God that's a tough one! A pop star? That sounds like fun.
God that's a tough one! A pop star? That sounds like fun.