Michael Bates

Michael David Bates (born 10 October 1990) is an English cricketer. Bates is a right-handed batsman who plays as a wicket-keeper. Bates is regarded by some as England's best wicket-keeper, but consider his batting is not up to the same standards. Career Youth Bates was born at Frimley, Surrey, and was educated at Lord Wandsworth College, Hook, Hampshire. He joined Hampshire's under-10 academy team, and progressed through their youth ranks. Bates represented the England U-19 cricket team, playing one Youth Test match and ten Youth One Day Internationals. Bates played for England in the 2010 U-19 Cricket World Cup. Hampshire:2010-2014 Bates made his first-class debut for Hampshire against Oxford University at University Parks, Oxford in 2010. Bates was an integral part Hampshire's team that won the 2010 Friends Provident T20. Veteran keeper Nic Pothas' injury meant that Bates played a lot of matches in 2011, and whilst his batting was rarely needed his tidy work behind the stumps and especially the pressure he created standing up to the likes of Dominic Cork and Chris Wood was vital to winning. For the 2013 season, Hampshire signed wicket keeper/batsman Adam Wheater from Essex, which limited Bates to mainly T20 and second II cricket for the following two seasons. As a result, he was released at the end of the 2014 season on expiry of his contract.