Playing for your country in a World Cup is a huge honor. Doing it multiple times shows a player’s talent, determination, and drive for success. The 10th ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be a farewell for three key players who have represented their nations with pride and aim to finish on a high note.
1. Sophie Devine
Sophie Devine stands out for her charisma and leadership. The captain of the New Zealand team led the White Ferns to their first Women’s T20 World Cup title in the last edition.
Her achievements are impressive: she is the fifth-highest run-scorer (785) in Women’s T20 World Cups and has the second-most wickets (29) for New Zealand in this tournament. Devine has played in all nine previous editions, totaling 3,719 runs in WT20Is, placing her fifth overall.
Known for her powerful hitting, Devine has scored 130 sixes in WT20Is, ranking second in history, and she shares the second-most sixes (19) in Women’s T20 World Cup history with Harmanpreet Kaur.
2. Suzie Bates
If Devine is the heartbeat of New Zealand Cricket, Suzie Bates is its foundation. A veteran, Bates has played in every edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
She holds the record for the most runs (1,216) in tournament history and is the top run-scorer in WT20Is overall (4,720). In addition to her batting, Bates has excelled in the field with the most catches in Women’s ODIs (94) and WT20Is (96), highlighting her all-round contributions.
3. Lea Tahuhu
Lea Tahuhu has been a key fast bowler for New Zealand. She was the country’s leading wicket-taker in Women’s ODIs with 125 wickets until recently surpassed by Amelia Kerr.
In WT20Is, Tahuhu ranks as the third-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand. She needs just one more wicket to reach 100 in this format, an ideal milestone to target in her final World Cup.
Devine, Bates, and Tahuhu mark the end of a significant era for New Zealand women’s cricket. Their legacies are defined by records, titles, and unforgettable performances. As they compete one last time on the world stage, they will be met with admiration and appreciation, with hopes that these veterans leave with the glory they deserve.