Bates set to end lengthy stint on sideline
The practice shots in the commentary box are about to joyfully become a thing of the past for Suzie Bates.
Not that the White Ferns star hasn’t loved her time covering the home international cricket season with Spark Sport – it’s just that she’d rather have been playing.
But a torn rotator cuff – and a ligament that needed repairing – in her right shoulder has now healed well enough for the 33-year-old to get excited about training and then playing again.
‘‘I’m getting the range of movement back and a bit of strengthening,’’ Bates said ahead of the final game in the Rose Bowl one-day international series between the New Zealand and Australian women’s teams in Mount Maunganui today.
‘‘In a couple of weeks I’ll see the specialist hopefully for the last time and then get into some skills stuff.’’
Bates first sustained the injury playing for the White Ferns against Australia in early October and then struck further problems with it playing for the Adelaide Strikers in the Women’s Big Bash League in November, ruling her out for the rest of the season.
‘‘Six weeks in a sling is tough, not being able to drive and tie my hair up,’’ Bates laughed.
‘‘So I’m really excited about being able to pick up a bat – it’s been a long time, I play a few practice shots in the commentary box.
‘‘Batting, that’s where I can contribute most and that’s where I want to contribute. Fielding and throwing is a key too; if I can roll the arm over I will, but I’m just getting back into the skills once my shoulder gets that range and strengthening back.’’
Bates admitted it’s been tough to watch her national team-mates struggle against England and Australia at home this year. New Zealand won only one ODI during their series of six one-dayers and T20 games against England and ahead of the final ODI against the allconquering Australians have just one T20 victory to savour in their trans-Tasman battles.
‘‘But it just makes me hungry to get back out there and try and contribute,’’ Bates said.
Without her services and those of captain Sophie Devine in the latter stages of Australia’s tour, Bates admitted a lack of runs had hindered the White Ferns.
‘‘What’s stood out is the batting – having that depth and batters who can score big runs. Not just 30s and 50s, it’s got to be 80s and hundreds.
‘‘We’ve got the players who can do that, it’s just having seven players that can do that.’’
Bates acknowledged the national women’s side still had ground to make up on Australia and England in terms of professionalism leading to better players and performances.
‘‘I think it’s a nature of the timing, when the structures have been put in place.
‘‘Once the structures are in place and players are training full-time, you see the skills develop. We’re still waiting I guess for the benefits of having players contracted and Australia have been doing that just that little bit longer.’’
The injury forced Bates to miss playing in The Hundred competition in England with the Southern Braves, with NZ team-mate Amelia Kerr her replacement.
But she’s confident she will be fully fit to feature for the Ferns at the postponed ODI World Cup in March-April next year in New Zealand.
‘‘That’s the plan – no reason that can’t be the case, the specialist says.
‘‘The goal is to get on the proposed tour to England in September, which will be around that nine-month mark, and then get ready for the World Cup.
‘‘It’s been nice that I haven’t missed that, and to have that carrot at the end of it all.’’