More New Zealand legends to follow Kane Williamson into retirement: Women's T20 World Cup 2026 could be final hurrah for trio
New Zealand legends Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, and Lea Tahuhu have confirmed the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup in England will be their final international tour.
Just as Kane Williamson chose this week to walk away from international cricket after 16 extraordinary years, three more pillars of New Zealand's cricketing identity have confirmed they will follow suit.
Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu are all set to retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England.
Williamson's retirement came mid-tour in England, where he brought his 378-match international career to an immediate close. The 35-year-old departs as New Zealand's all-time leading run-scorer across formats, having accumulated 19,346 runs including 48 centuries and six double-hundreds.
The night before our @T20WorldCup opener 🤩 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/A5Z3DbqnvH
Whereas Bates and Tahuhu have collectively been the backbone of the White Ferns for the better part of 15 years.
Devine, 36, made her international debut back in 2006 and has gone on to play 310 times for New Zealand across both white-ball formats. She began her career primarily as a bowler before developing into one of the world's most complete all-rounders, finishing with 3,587 T20 runs and 128 wickets to her name.
She had already stepped back from ODI cricket after last year's 50-over World Cup.
Meanwhile, Tahuhu, 35, has earned more than 200 international caps as a frontline fast bowler, and along with Bates, played a key role in New Zealand's remarkable T20 World Cup triumph in the United Arab Emirates in 2024.
MORE: Kane Williamson's career record as New Zealand icon announces retirement
Bates remains determined to successfully defend the title before she quits international cricket.
"That T20 title is obviously a huge carrot," Bates told ESPNcricinfo's Powerplay podcast. "It was great to win one, but to be able to defend it with Melie as captain as well, I think that'd just be a really special way to have a send-off for her and for the three of us that have been doing it a long time."
First @T20WorldCup warm up complete ✔️ A superb effort from Nensi Patel with the ball (4-18 off three overs). Catch up on the scorecard | https://t.co/zfsd3cKBXh #NZvBAN #T20WorldCup 📷 = Getty pic.twitter.com/FgQLueIfkU
Meanwhile, Devine is looking to enjoy and give her best for the final time on the global stage.
"It makes knowing that I'm retiring a hell of a lot easier when it's that cold out there," she joked.
"But no, look, I'm just really happy and just feel really grateful. Not many athletes get the opportunity to decide when they walk away from the game and for me to be here and just soak it all up."
"Out in the middle, I'm out there to win and want to help the Kiwis win, but it's the small moments on the sidelines and the changeroom and stuff that I'll certainly try and hold onto."
White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer paid a special tribute to the trio and confirmed that there would be a proper celebration of their careers once the tournament concludes.
"To have our three most senior players all finishing their careers at the same tournament is a rare and special occasion," said head coach Ben Sawyer.
"All three have had distinguished careers in their own right and have given so much to this team and the game in general. There'll be a time at the end of the tournament to further acknowledge and celebrate the trio, and I know at present they're very focussed on performing well in their final mission with the team."
The White Ferns have been drawn into Group 2 alongside hosts England, Ireland, Scotland, Sri Lanka and West Indies. They open their World Cup campaign against West Indies in Hampshire on June 14.
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Soham Mukherjee is a content producer and writer, with a focus on cricket, football, tennis and Indian sports. His work has appeared in Goal.com previously, where he has covered the Premier League, La Liga, Champions League, FIFA World Cups and Indian football. Armed with an MA (Master's) in Sports Journalism from Symbiosis International University, he knew early on that his future wouldn’t be on the pitch but behind the pen, shaping narratives about the games he adores.
