Bates excited about chance of revenge in WT20

New Zealand star Suzie Bates has revealed her side is excited about the chance of winning the ICC World Twenty20 2009. Bates, part of the side who finished as runners-up at the ICC Women’s World Cup in March, will be a key all-rounder for the White Ferns and will hope to build on her growing reputation as one of the most destructive batters in the women’s game. “We are pretty excited to have the opportunity to play in the event. To be able to have a chance to win another world tournament so soon after the World Cup is great,” said Bates. “We think we have a pretty good team and I think it will be a pretty exciting tournament and hopefully we will be able to get one over England this time and beat Australia again as well.” Bates, who made 168 against Pakistan at the ICC Women’s World Cup, also featured in her country’s basketball side at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, illustrating her all-round sporting talents. New Zealand will warm-up for the series by playing three Twenty20 matches in Brisbane in early June, ahead of the opening matches of the women’s event on 11 June in England and Bates believes this will be a vital part of her side’s preparations. “It is very good that we get the chance to have a warm-up series against Australia. We have had a couple of training camps, but we haven’t had much of a chance to play outdoors. It will be good to play against Australia and focus on Twenty20 cricket. It will be the best preparation we could possibly get,” said Bates. “When we get to England we also have a couple of warm-up matches so we should be ready.”