Baby on board: How a cricket couple are preparing for the first change

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This was published 4 years ago

Baby on board: How a cricket couple are preparing for the first change

By Daniel Cherny

Amy Satterthwaite has a way of simplifying things that explains why she's such a respected figure in international cricket, and such a successful batter on the world stage. As captain of the Melbourne Renegades over the past couple of seasons she's been involved in some thrilling and bizarre finishes, but whenever you speak to her after a match she remains understated, matter-of-fact and sensible with a tinge of dry New Zealand humour.

So it probably shouldn't come as a surprise that Satterthwaite – still the No.1 ranked one-day international batter in women's cricket despite not having played in eight months – takes a pragmatic view to the adventure she and wife Lea Tahuhu are undertaking ahead of the birth of their first child, due in early January.

Melbourne Renegades players Amy Satterthwaite (left) and Lea Tahuhu are expecting their first baby.

Melbourne Renegades players Amy Satterthwaite (left) and Lea Tahuhu are expecting their first baby.Credit: Simon Schluter

"I've seen a lot of people retire at a young age. Anywhere from 25 to 30, to go and have a family," Satterthwaite says.

"It would be awesome to see people have a family and come back to the game, rather than feel like we're losing players that are really valuable to us."

That's why Satterthwaite, also New Zealand captain, is crystal clear that pregnancy doesn't spell the end of her playing career. She and fast bowler Tahuhu, also a Renegades and White Ferns mainstay, are in Melbourne together for a few weeks during the Women's Big Bash League season before Amy heads back to Christchurch before giving birth.

Speedster Tahuhu continues to charge in for the Renegades as they look to atone for their WBBL semi-final heartbreak last summer, while Satterthwaite is spending part of the tournament with the team in an off-field mentoring role. Tahuhu will be back in Australia early next year for the Twenty20 World Cup, which is preceded by a home series against South Africa. She knows it could be difficult to leave Amy and their child.

Tahuhu strikes for the Renegades with the prized wicket of Alyssa Healy.

Tahuhu strikes for the Renegades with the prized wicket of Alyssa Healy.Credit: Getty Images

"We've got some tours after baby's due, ironically I may find it harder going away and leaving a family at home. You sort of get a sense of how a lot of the male cricketers have done that for a number of years," says Tahuhu.

The couple says they've been extremely well supported by New Zealand Cricket and the Renegades.

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Satterthwaite and Tahuhu point to former Australian international Sarah Elliott as proof she too can come back from having a child to play at the highest level. Kiwi netballer Casey Kopua and hockey player Gemma McCaw are on similar journeys. Satterthwaite looks to Cricket Australia's parental leave policy – unveiled last month – as the gold standard. She is a member of the NZ player union's board and is continuing to work towards greater rights for players in her position.

"I think [CA have] shown a potential way to ensure that you've got females that can play the game that they love, play for as long as they want, and have the ability to have a family as well, like you would be able to in most other workforces," Satterthwaite said.

Tahuhu shares those sentiments.

"Amy and I have been together for 10 years and married for a couple of years now. We've always known that we've wanted a family. For us, the time was right now," Tahuhu said.

"A lot of people question why now when you're still playing, but I don't see why having a family should be an obstacle to being able to continue your cricket career. Hopefully that's something that Amy will be able to do once the baby is here."

Satterthwaite, 33, isn't trying to make a political or social point.

"As Lea said, it's just been the right time for us as a family. We certainly haven't gone about something like this to try and be a trailblazer and set a pathway."

The couple found out in May that Amy was pregnant. They waited the requisite 12 weeks before sharing the news with those close to them, as well as their employers. But Satterthwaite was never in two minds about getting back out into the middle.

"I made it pretty clear at the time that I'd love to be able to come back if I can," she said.

"The goal is to play next summer, and we've got a 50-over World Cup at home in 2021 which would be a really special thing to be able to get back for if I can."

The hunger hasn't waned either. While she's enjoying her off-field role with the Renegades, there's nothing like padding up.

"But the body is obviously also in a different place at the moment so there's part of me that doesn't feel like I can run around too much," she jokes, noting that she's made a concerted effort to stay away from flying balls on the boundary.

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"It's certainly been a different challenge watching from the sideline, that's for sure.

"Just being able to have the conversations and see it being executed on the park. Stuff that you've talked about being transferred has been really exciting. You feel like you're actually able to help out and contribute and make a difference even though it doesn't actually feel like much. It's been a bit of a learning curve for me, sitting on the sideline watching and not being able to help out in the moment, and having to let them go through it and learn."

NZ have an empty schedule next winter, which Satterthwaite sees as an opportunity to ease her way back into things ahead of the following summer.

For Tahuhu the goals are more short-term. Back bowling after five months on the sidelines with a shoulder injury, the lure of a WBBL title burns brightly. Then there is the T20 World Cup, where she could yet be accompanied by her wife and child. The family are leaving their options open.

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