14 Apr 2016

Bates had to keep quiet about being 'best in the world'

2:53 pm on 14 April 2016

The White Ferns captain Suzie Bates has known for sometime she's the best women's cricketer in the world but wasn't allowed to tell anyone.

The cricketing bible Wisden has named Black Caps batsman Kane Williamson and White Ferns opening bat Bates leading cricketers in the world in 2015.

Williamson and former Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum were also named in the publication's five players of the year.

Bates says given there are so many good cricketers around she is pinching herself to make sure the award is real although shes' revealed today that she has known about it for some time.

White Ferns captain Suzie Bates

White Ferns captain Suzie Bates Photo: Photosport

"I was actually given the heads up by Wisden a few months back so it's taken a while to come out and I had actually forgotten about it till last night, so it was a nice reminder that I'd had a pretty successful summer.... I did tell a couple of people though."

Bates said it was extra special that two New Zealanders had got the top awards too.

"Kane's one of my faves (sic). I love watching Kane bat and he's just had such an awesome last couple of seasons and I have been able to talk to him occasionally about his cricket ...and now that he's captain as well hopefully we can get together and talk about batting and captaincy," she said.

Brendon McCullum and his successor as Black Caps captain Kane Williamson (right).

Brendon McCullum (left) and Kane Williamson were both recognised by Wisden. Photo: Photosport

The Black Caps captain Mike Hesson described the recognition for the trio as "phenomenal."

Hesson rated Williamson's unbeaten century against Sri Lanka in the second test in Hamilton in December, which led the side to a five wicket win as his best of the year.

Hesson said the pitch challenged batsmen in a variety of ways but particularly with inconsistent bounce and pace.

"For him to be able to work out how to be affective on that was world class," said Hesson.

The awards show "we are heading in the right direction (in both the men's and women's game) and leading the way in some respects. Any good side has a lot of quality players in it and the Black Caps has that and the White Ferns certainly getting that as well," he said.

"We're not resting on our laurels ..but it's nice to recognise we have had a couple of pretty good years."

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson Photo: Photosport

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