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Just a couple of days after confirming Sophie Ecclestone’s signing, the Sydney Sixers have revealed another top recruitment in the form of White Ferns legend Suzie Bates. She is the club’s second and final overseas signing and joins other stars such as Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardner.
Notably, Bates is a big name in the WBBL, having spent four seasons at the Adelaide Strikers and two at the Perth Scorchers, in which she has amassed 1738 runs and taken 35 wickets. Due to travel restrictions, the New Zealander did not feature in last year’s competition.
Bates, who played a key role in New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games Bronze Medal victory, recently propelled the Oval Invincibles to The Hundred title in England. Regarding her latest signing in the WBBL, the Dunedin-born said she is looking forward to the upcoming season of the 20-over tournament.
“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 clubs 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,” said Bates, as quoted by Sydneysixers.com.au.
Bates, who has represented New Zealand in as many as 273 white ball matches, said she is excited to share the changeroom with Healy and Perry, who have done incredibly well in the WBBL.
“It will be nice [to play alongside Healy and Perry] because I’m a bit sick of playing against them! Healy scored a lot of runs – and a few hundreds – against the Strikers in the past, so it will be nice to be down the other end and watch those two go about their business,” added Bates.
Sydney Sixers WBBL|08 Squad:
Ellyse Perry (Captain), Jade Allen, Suzie Bates, Nicole Bolton, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Sophie Ecclestone, Ash Gardner, Ange Genford, Alyssa Healy
