'It is a massive time in our lives' - Natham Smith shares insights on relationship with New Zealand women's team captain Melie Kerr

Both Nathan Smith and Melie Kerr are in England, representing New Zealand in the Test series against England and the Women's T20 World Cup, respectively. The former bowled brilliantly during the first Test against England and bagged a six-for, putting his name in the prestigious Honours Board at Lord's. Meanwhile, Kerr is leading the White Ferns, the defending champions, at the global event.

After training at The Oval on Saturday, Smith rushed down to Southampton in time to watch New Zealand's agonising

loss to the West Indies; Kerr had arrived at the first Test at Lord's and will be in attendance at the first day of the second Test on Wednesday, travelling up to London after captaining her team against Sri Lanka on Tuesday afternoon.

This month, the talented couple is balancing their respective hectic schedules and supporting each other during high-pressure tours.

"You're just taking it in your stride at the moment. Once you're in it, you're not trying to make it something bigger than it is: she's been to a handful of World Cups, and I've played a bit of international cricket now. You're just bringing it back to a day-by-day, game-by-game sort of thing. But yeah, it is a massive time in our lives," Smith was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Kerr and Smith met each other when they played for Wellington in the 2021-2022 season. They have been dating each other for the last four-and-a-half years. Both of them have been climbing the stairs of success rapidly, as Kerr is one of the finest spin-bowling all-rounders in world cricket, and Smith has established himself as a reliable seam-bowling all-rounder for the men's team.

Smith explained the challenges he and Kerr have to face, being in the same profession, as they do not get too much time to spend with each other, as they have to balance their busy schedules.

"Normally, one of us is at home and one of us is away. Most of the time, if I leave, she'll be at the Big Bash or something, so I'll go try to spend some time with her there. I've spent a couple of Hundred seasons with her over the last couple of years," Smith said.

"That's the other thing: your time together is never normally at home. Other players go home and have their families there, and their time off is at home. For us, it's a little bit different. It's like time off just wherever: hotel rooms, normally. But it's all good… It's nice to be in the same time zone, at least," he added.