White Ferns captain Amy Satterthwaite and partner Lea Tahuhu have spoken after announcing that they're expecting their first child .
Satterthwaite, 32, who is due to give birth in the new year will miss the White Ferns' upcoming international summer. She's planning to return for the 2021 Women's World Cup, hosted by New Zealand.
The news means Satterthwaite will be the first player in the history of the White Ferns to make use of the new pregnancy leave provisions in the new women's master agreement with New Zealand Cricket .
Satterthwaite will be paid her full retainer throughout her absence and will not be required to train or play.
Speaking to 1 NEWS today, Satterthwaite and Tahuhu talked about how their announcement has been received.
"It's been phenomenal," Satterthwaite said.
"The response has been amazing, really positive. Everyone's just really excited about what the future holds for us, which is all you could ask for.
"We're really excited for the journey ahead."
With both Satterthwaite and Tahuhu being key players within the White Ferns' setup, the pair also said that it wasn't a hard decision as to who would carry the baby.
"I'm four years older, that probably made it a bit easier," Satterthwaite joked.
"I've always wanted to carry a baby, that probably helped as well. It wasn't something we didn't really have to talk about in the end."
"I think the age made the decision easy," Tahuhu added.
Satterthwaite's role as White Ferns captain also played a part in the decision, with all going to plan she will return for the 2021 World Cup.
Tahuhu added that there was no hesitation from her partner in putting family ahead of her career.
"We talked a lot about it, you go around in circles to a certain extent. That's one of the challenges of being a female athlete, is that at some stage, you do put family first.
"The great thing is with the support of New Zealand Cricket, there will be a time where Amy will hopefully work her way back - looking obviously to that 2021 World Cup."
The pair are also hopeful that their pregnancy will serve as a milestone occasion in New Zealand women's cricket, showing that players can balance a family and a career.
New Zealand Cricket have been nothing but supportive of Satterthwaite and Tahuhu's future plans.
"We've seen that they've been really passionate about it, the investment they're putting in is an indication around what it means to them," Satterthwaite says.
"It's only going to help us in the long run, to go from strength to strength and improve our game."
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