Suzie Bates was the driving force behind New Zealand’s batsmen’ return to form as they scored 189 for three against Bangladesh in their Women’s T20 World Cup match on Friday at Newlands in Cape Town. Bates scored 81 runs while remaining unbeaten to become the first woman from any nation to accumulate 1000 runs in T20 World Cups. The White Ferns had a stunning comeback, scoring the highest total of the competition after getting bowled out for the two lowest totals in their opening two games (76 against Australia and 67 against South Africa).
They were eliminated from contention to go to the semifinals after losing their opening two games by significant margins. With a first-wicket stand of 77 in 8.4 overs, Bates and Bernardine Bezuidenhout (44) set the stage. Maddy Green smashed an unbeaten 44 off 20 balls to aid Bates in adding 73 in the final seven overs. Bates smacked seven fours and a six to total her runs off 61 balls.
