Devine and Bates set for ninth consecutive T20 World Cup

Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine will become the first players to feature in nine consecutive ICC Women's T20 World Cups when New Zealand open their campaign against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday.

The pair have been at the heart of the White Ferns' success in the tournament, with Bates scoring 858 runs in 40 matches at an average of 22.40 and Devine taking 69 wickets at 17.83.

They have been part of the New Zealand team that has reached the semi-finals in each of the last three editions of the tournament, and will be hoping to go one better this time around.

Bates, who is now 35, made her T20 World Cup debut in 2007, while Devine, who is 33, made her debut in 2009.

They have both played a key role in New Zealand's success in the tournament, and will be hoping to help the team go all the way this time around.

New Zealand are in Group A for the tournament, and will also face Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the group stage.