 He started his career in the 1999/2000 season, in which he won the best new talent award on the way to the Western Warriors winning the Mercantile Mutual Cup Final.In 2004, he gave away his career as a lawyer to become a full-time cricketer, but injuries have restricted his last few seasons, with persistent hamstring problems.In the 2004 ING Cup Final, Wates starred with Kade Harvey to add 75 for the seventh wicket to guide the Western Warriors to their first title since 1999/2000.