Cricket: Suzie Bates to bring up White Ferns milestone

Suzie Bates celebrates her century against Sri Lanka. Photo / Getty

On March 4, 2006, an 18-year-old Otago cricketer made a debut for the White Ferns which was as low-key as coverage of the women's game at the time.

She took one for 20 from four overs against India at Lincoln and wasn't required to bat as New Zealand wrapped up the contest by seven wickets with 16 overs to spare.

Suzannah Wilson Bates has since become one of her sport's finest batting all-rounders and was named the leading women's cricketer in the world in last year's Wisden. The sport has become professional and had an exponential profile boost during her career.

When she captains New Zealand against South Africa in their World Cup match at Derby tomorrow night, she will become the eighth of her countrywomen to play 100 ODIs. The 29-year-old joins Sara McGlashan (134), Nicola Browne (125), Debbie Hockley (118), Haidee Tiffen (117), Rebecca Rolls (104), Aimee Watkins (103) and Emily Drumm (101).

"The game is unrecognisable from when I started. You used to get a $30 daily allowance if you were living at home, bludging off Mum and Dad, which was still a bit of pocket money."

"It was a bit of a hobby for everyone. Some of us were still studying, others had careers and we got together to go on tour. That was the best thing because people got away from their day jobs and lived the dream.

"Now half a dozen of us do this 10 months of year full-time and get paid for it. I never thought it was going to be a career. I wanted to play sport because I loved it [she also represented New Zealand at basketball]. I thought I was going to get a real job... but still haven't had to."

New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by nine wickets with 12.2 overs to spare in their opening match at Bristol, courtesy of Bates' eighth ODI century.

"She's been astronomical for this team," Amy Satterthwaite said, after sharing an unbeaten 170-run second-wicket stand with her captain.

"She sets the tone. Her batting over the last five years has gone from strength to strength leading our team, and the rest of the world."

New Zealand beat South Africa 5-2 in a ODI series during their October tour, but batswomen Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt and Mignon du Preez pose threats. Lee and Wolvaardt completed an opening stand of 113 in their opening three-wicket win, chasing 207 to beat Pakistan.

White Ferns to play a century of ODIs

Sara McGlashan 134
Nicola Browne 125
Debbie Hockley 118
Haidee Tiffen 117
Rebecca Rolls 104
Aimee Watkins 103
Emily Drumm 101