Suzie Bates signs with Sydney Sixers for WBBL08

34-year-old Bates has previously represented Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers in the competition. She has scored 1738 runs and has taken 35 wickets from 71 WBBL matches.

“They have a star-studded line-up, and I can’t wait to be part of that squad. They’ve been one of the most successful club’s in WBBL history... but I think they’d be the first to admit that in recent times they haven’t done as well as they’d like. I can’t wait to be part of a team that wants to make finals and wants to win Championships,” Bates said.

Bates, who has represented New Zealand in 273 matches across the two limited over formats, is the highest run-getter in the world in T20Is. She overcame a career-threatening shoulder injury to make a comeback to international cricket this year. The right-hander had a successful period with the bat where she took New Zealand to the bronze medal in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games before helping Invincibles retain their title in The Hundred.

“I haven’t played in the WBBL over the last two years due to injury and COVID, so I’m excited to be going back to Australia. I’m obviously at a new ground, but Sydney always gets behind the Sixers. It’s going to be a massive tournament with the top players playing. Here’s to a new season and a new colour for me – I hope it suits!,” Bates said.

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Bates, who has worked with Charlotte Edwards in the past for Southern Vipers and Adelaide Strikers, added that Edwards being the head coach of Sixers is one of the biggest reasons to sign with the side in pink.

“I’ve worked with ‘Lotte’ in the past, and her being there as coach was a really big reason to sign... knowing they’d be well led,” Bates added.

“I talked about my role in the top order and doing what I have done for any team that I’ve played in: trying to contribute with the bat; bringing senior leadership on the field; helping the team as best I can, and just being a good person around the group.”

Edwards, who recently took Southern Brave to the final of The Hundred, said Bates’ inclusion will make any team stronger and Sixers are lucky to have her.

“Suzie is a great team person. Any team is certainly stronger with her in it and we’re very lucky at the Sixers to have her. She’s an important signing for us as a group with what she brings on and off the field. In terms of ‘onfield’ we identified an opening batter as a position we needed going into WBBL|08 – and Suzie is world leading in that position,” Edwards said.

“Suzie also brings an enormous amount of experience of playing in the WBBL, and that will be so valuable to our group. She’s in the form of her life, coming off winning The Hundred where she played a pivotal role as a leader and opening bat.”

Sydney Sixers Squad so far: Ellyse Perry (C), Jade Allen, Suzie Bates, Nicole Bolton, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Sophie Ecclestone, Ash Gardner, Angela Genford, Alyssa Healy