Black Cap Blair 'I CAN'T WAIT TO BE A DAD!'

Counting down the days until baby arrives, the Hawke's Bay cricketer reveals how his family is bouncing back from Cyclone Gabrielle

Black Caps bowler Blair Tickner is used to doing things in threes. It was an impressive hat-trick for the Central Stags in 2017 that first put him in the sporting spotlight, but the trio of events that have unfolded for him over the past year casts even that achievement in the shade.

First came marriage, then his New Zealand test debut against England in mid-February and now, saving the best till last, he and wife Sarah will welcome a baby girl in a few weeks.

"I grew up in a big family of six kids, so this is something I've always wanted and I'm really ready for it," says Blair, 29, as he cuddles Sarah, 32, in the nursery of their sunny Hastings villa, where old childhood toys are mixed with all the exciting new trappings needed for nailing life as new parents.

While the couple both grew up in Hawke's Bay and even attended the same primary school a few years apart, it wasn't until a mutual friend introduced the pair on Christmas Eve four years ago that they met and had "instant chemistry", as he says.

Despite being dressed as an elf, Blair's smile caught Sarah's eye and things moved quickly from there. While Blair's cricket commitments with Central Districts and rapid elevation to the Black Caps meant the new couple were often apart, they moved in together within a few months and life has been in fast-forward ever since.

"At the time, Blair was opening his café, 13th Stag, then his career took off, we bought a house, got married, got a dog and now we're having a baby," laughs Sarah.

"Life is so busy, but it's fun." She says their different personalities and shared values will set them up well for parenthood - and the rest they'll just make up as they go.