New Zealand women’s captain Amy Satterthwaite has announced that she is expecting her first child with team-mate and wife Lea Tahuhu and will take a break from cricket.
All-rounder Satterthwaite and fast bowler Tahuhu have been together since 2010 and married in March 2017.
“Lea and I are overjoyed to share the news that I’m expecting our first child early in the new year,” Satterthwaite was quoted as saying in the NZC statement. “It is a special time in our lives, and we can’t wait for this new chapter.”
The baby is due in January 2020, and the White Ferns’ skipper plans to return for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 on home soil.
“I am very lucky to have great support from NZC with regard to taking a break from the game to have a family. I feel I still have a lot to give to the game and look forward to working my way back with an eye on the 2021 ICC Women’s World Cup held in New Zealand,” Satterthwaite added.
She made her international debut in 2007 and has played 119 ODIs and 99 T20Is, becoming the first woman to score a century in four consecutive one-day innings in 2017.
Satterthwaite, who has been a captain since October 2018, will be the first player to benefit from New Zealand Cricket’s new pregnancy leave policy. She will also retain her contract for 2019-20, receiving full pay.
The sweetest news of the day!
Congratulations! 👶#babysatterhuhu https://t.co/7iZR3WaxaZ
— ICC (@ICC) August 20, 2019
