.jpg) Bates bowling for Sydney Thunder | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Samantha Lee Bates |
| Born | 17 August 1992 Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Left-arm orthodox spin |
| Role | Bowler |
| Domestic team information | |
| Years | Team |
| 2009/10–2018/19 | ACT Meteors |
| 2015/16–present | Sydney Thunder |
| 2019/20–2020/21 | Tasmanian Tigers |
| 2021/22–present | Victoria |
Source: Cricinfo, 4 January 2018 | |
Samantha "Sam" Lee Bates (born 17 August 1992)[1] is an Australian cricketer who plays as a spin bowler for the Sydney Thunder and Victoria.[2][3]
Bates grew up in Newcastle and started playing cricket in the local boys' competition at age 10. Originally a fast bowler, she was encouraged to take up spin after requiring a knee reconstruction due to a soccer training accident when she was 16.[4][5]
The left-armer toured Dubai in March and April 2015 as a member of Cricket Australia's Shooting Stars program, an under-23 development squad.[6] On 6 December, she claimed the Thunder's first-ever wicket in the Women's Big Bash League, dismissing Alyssa Healy for 14 runs.[7] Two weeks later, Bates broke her right wrist in two places while diving for a catch during a six-wicket loss to the Adelaide Strikers at Allan Border Field.[8] She was consequently ruled out for the remainder of the 2015–16 WBBL season, nevertheless the Thunder would go on to win the inaugural championship.[9]
After re-signing with the Thunder in October 2017 for two more seasons,[10][11] Bates took 16 WBBL|03 wickets at an economy rate of 5.88 and was named in the ACA's All-Star Team of the Year.[12]
In October 2018, Bates was selected for the first official women's Australia A tour, which included three 50-over matches and three Twenty20s against India A in Mumbai.[13]
In May 2019, after a decade with the ACT Meteors,[14] Bates signed with Tasmania for the 2019–20 WNCL season.[15] Two months later, she recommitted to the Sydney Thunder for a fifth and sixth WBBL season.[16][17][18]
