- Gave birth to her daughter Nina in late June
- Will play for Sydney Sixers in WBBL on Sunday
A little over four months ago, Erin Burns was in a birthing suite preparing for the arrival of her daughter Nina.
Remarkably, she will play for the Sydney Sixers against Perth Scorchers in the WBBL on Sunday at the WACA Ground.
‘It’s definitely a bit of a mental juggle,’ Burns said.
‘When did she feed last? When does she need a nappy change? Do I need to take all of these things when I go somewhere?
‘There’s definitely times when she hasn’t slept all night. And you’re like, right, I’ve got to get up and do this gym program or training.
‘But in a way, the cricket side of things feels easier. Because you’re used to that routine.’
In late June this year, Aussie cricket star Erin Burns was in a birthing suite preparing for the arrival of her daughter Nina
When Burns, 37, flew to Perth on Friday, she did so with baby Nina in her arms.
Cricket Australia’s parental support system will pay for Burns’ mother to make every away trip as a carer, while Burns herself is still feeding the four-month-old.
After falling pregnant on the eve of last summer’s WBBL, Burns told officials she would sit out the season.
She also used a foot injury as a façade given she was still in the early stages.
The Sixers kept the door open for her to play in this season’s tournament through the backing of Leah Poulton and Rachael Haynes, with talks becoming serious just two months after Nina’s birth in late June.
That prompted a return to training for Burns with the backing of her wife Anna, who carried the couple’s first child Jack four years ago.
‘When Leah called, I was like ‘well, I’m feeling in a much better space [physically] than I thought I would be’,’ Burns said.
‘First session in, I’m not going to lie, I felt like an absolute fish out of water.
Remarkably, Burns (pictured, right) will play for the Sydney Sixers against Perth Scorchers in the WBBL on Sunday at the WACA Ground just 138 days after giving birth
‘But after three or four sessions it kind of started to get back to that point where it feels pretty normal.
‘I definitely didn’t think I’d be in this position to front up and get on the park. I’m pretty stoked that I’m here.’
Burns’ former Hobart Hurricanes teammates Emma Thompson and Amy Satterthwaite are among other cricketers to return to the WBBL after giving birth, along with cross-code AFLW star Jess Duffin.
Sarah Elliott famously scored an Ashes Test century for Australia in 2013 while breastfeeding her nine-month-old son at lunch and tea breaks.