Renegades captain Jess Duffin to become first beneficiary of Cricket Australia's parental leave scheme

Duffin is expecting her first daughter in July, having scored 544 runs at 68.00 during this year's WBBL

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Jess Duffin is set to become the first player to benefit from Cricket Australia's new parental leave policy after announcing she is pregnant with her first child.

The 30-year-old captained the Melbourne Renegades to the semi-final stage of this year's Women's Big Bash League, becoming the club's first player to tally more than 500 runs in a single campaign and finishing the tournament with a batting average of 68.00.

While her performances had made her a strong candidate for a return to the national side after four years out, Duffin has today confirmed that is expecting to give birth to her first daughter in July.

"I found out when I was about four weeks. I was pregnant through the whole Big Bash," Duffin told the Australian Associated Press.

"When those conversations came up [about an international return] I thought everyone is going to laugh when they find out.

"Cricket Australia were obviously stoked, and were like 'we know now why you didn't play the Australia A stuff'."

^{Duffin featured in Australia's World Twenty20-winning side in 2014}

Duffin, who also plays professional Aussie rules football for AFLW side North Melbourne, will now be eligible for 12 months of paid leave under Cricket Australia's new maternity policy, introduced in October.

The policy will offer Duffin a guaranteed contract for her returning season, a support with care costs and travel expenses until her daughter turns four, and the opportunity to transition to an off-field role until she gives birth.

Upon the policy's announcement, Australia wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy commented: "As a player, I'm proud to be part of a game with such a comprehensive and fit-for-purpose parental leave policy.

"With the playing and travel demands on cricketers, I'm pleased this policy provides support to players, so if they choose to, can both care for their child and participate in the game. 

"Seeing friends and family raise children, I know the physical and emotional toll parenting can have. The policy is a game changer for players planning for the future while providing job security."

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