Martin Guptill and Laura McGoldrick are expecting their first child. Photo/Norrie Montgomery
Martin Guptill and Laura McGoldrick are expecting their first child. Photo/Norrie Montgomery
It's baby season for the Black Caps with test stars Tim Southee and Martin Guptill all awaiting the birth of children.
But on Thursday night veteran batsman Ross Taylor and his wife Victoria beat them to it, welcoming their third baby into the world; a girl named Adelaide.
Taylor flew back to New Zealand from County team commitments in the UK to be with his wife as she prepared to give birth. The couple have two children already, daughter Mackenzie and son Jonty.
Now two of his team-mates are counting down to their own very special deliveries.
Guptill and his wife New Zealand Herald Focus presenter Laura McGoldrick are expecting their first child - a girl - next month.
And the couple will be busy juggling nappies and cricket bats, when Guptill's summer cricket commitments kick off at the end of the year.
Southee shared a photo of the pair on social media last week with the caption: "Then there were three."
According to the Instagram post, baby Southee is due in November.
Victoria and Ross Taylor. Photo/Norrie Montgomery
McGoldrick said the mums-to-be have kept in touch throughout their pregnancies.
"We all get on very well so we've all kept in touch and checked that everyone's doing okay," she said.
New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills said it was an exciting time for the cricketers.
"Athletes are always excited when they step into that next phase of their life in terms of getting married and having children - its a big step and a positive step."
Mills said juggling a professional sporting career and family responsibilities was extremely challenging.
"There is no more important thing in life than having a partner and having a family, and that's always your number one priority. But when you're an elite athlete that requires a dedicated commitment as well and unfortunately [the players] are often on the road 10 months of the year."
Partners and children can travel with the Black Caps.
"It's really important, given the players are away from home so often, that we try and normalise their lifestyle and have their family with them as often as we can," Mills said.
