Michael Bates

A left-arm medium pacer, Michael Bates first appeared for Auckland in the 2003-04 season. He represented New Zealand in the 2002 ICC U19 World Cup, and has been playing for the Auckland Aces since his first-class debut.

Michael bats right-handed but bowls with a left arm. One of his memorable performances includes a thrilling triple-wicket maiden that set up a nail-biting four-run victory for Auckland in their domestic T20 competition finale against the Central Districts in 2011. Later that year, he was part of the Aces squad that travelled to India for the Champions League T20. Following a productive domestic season, Bates was called up to the national side in 2012 for the ODI and T20I series against Zimbabwe, where he made his debut.