Northern Superchargers Eye Redemption in The Hundred 2025
The Northern Superchargers had a modest outing in the 2024 season, finishing fifth with 3 wins out of 8 matches and failing to qualify for the next stage of the tournament.
However, with new signings and renewed passion, they aim to replicate and improve on their successful 2023 campaign, when they finished as runners-up, with hopes of winning the trophy this season.
Australian Trio Bolsters the 2025 Campaign
The 2023 runners-up head into this season bolstered by world-class overseas talent. The Northern Superchargers have added a trio of top-tier Australian players: Phoebe Litchfield, Annabel Sutherland, and Georgia Wareham, who bring international pedigree, versatility, and big-match experience to the squad.
Phoebe Litchfield: Top-Order Powerhouse
Litchfield, a left-handed batter, has been a regular in the Australian national side since her debut. She enjoyed a standout campaign in The Hundred 2023, scoring 279 runs and playing a key role in the Superchargers’ journey to the final. Her T20 International record is equally impressive, with a strike rate of 140 and an average of nearly 32.
Annabel Sutherland: Game-Changing All-Rounder
Annabel Sutherland, a dynamic all-rounder, made a significant impact in The Hundred 2024. She scored 212 runs at an average of 36 and a strike rate close to 138, while also taking 10 wickets, including a four-wicket haul. Her international form has remained strong, underlining her value with both bat and ball.
Georgia Wareham: Spin Strength and Lower-Order Firepower
Georgia Wareham adds further depth with her leg-spin and useful lower-order contributions. In the 2025 Women’s Premier League, representing Royal Bengaluru Challengers, she took 12 wickets in eight matches to finish fifth on the tournament’s wicket-taking list, while also chipping in with the bat when needed.
England Core Provides Experience and Balance
The franchise also boasts a strong domestic core, providing reliable support to its overseas stars. England internationals Kate Cross and Linsey Smith lead the homegrown contingent, bringing both quality and experience to the squad.
Kate Cross and Linsey Smith: Leaders of the Bowling Attack
Cross, a seasoned seamer, had a quiet series against India but looked in good rhythm during the previous West Indies series and in domestic matches for Lancashire. Her leadership, discipline, and control with the new ball make her a key figure in the Superchargers’ bowling unit.
Smith, a left-arm spinner recently recalled to the England setup, made an immediate impression with a match-winning five-wicket haul on debut against the West Indies. She was the leading wicket-taker in the 2024 Hundred season, claiming 15 wickets in seven matches. In her current form, she is expected to form an effective spin partnership with Georgia Wareham.
Top-Order Fragility Remains a Key Concern
One of the team’s key concerns remains a fragile top order, an issue that was exposed during the 2024 campaign, underlining a lack of early resilience. While Phoebe Litchfield has the capability to anchor an innings, her recent form in franchise cricket has been inconsistent. She endured a modest WPL 2024 season, scoring just 91 runs in six matches for the Gujarat Giants.
Missing a Consistent Finisher in the Line-up
Another concern is the absence of a true finisher, a player who can reliably take control in the final overs. Although Annabel Sutherland, Alice Davidson-Richards, and Georgia Wareham are capable of accelerating, they do not yet match the consistent power-hitting of elite finishers.
Bess Heath, the team’s designated wicketkeeper-batter, had a disappointing Hundred campaign in 2024, scoring only 48 runs in 7 innings and struggling to close out innings effectively. This leaves a gap in the lower-middle order that could be exploited by opponents.
Young Talents Show Promise for the Future
Despite some concerns, the Superchargers have several promising areas of growth, particularly among their younger talents. Davina Perrin, although she has looked rusty so far in The Hundred, was the third-highest run-scorer in the recently concluded Vitality Blast 2025 and is a young player to watch closely.
She is also widely regarded as one of England’s most exciting young batters and is gaining valuable experience at the elite level through The Hundred.
The team is also set to benefit from a favourable fixture list and home advantage in 2025. Matches at Headingley, where the Superchargers have traditionally performed well, could provide a vital edge.
The tournament’s 5 to 31 August window aligns with peak form for many overseas players following strong performances in the WPL, domestic leagues, and international series, ensuring both availability and match readiness.
Another significant opportunity lies in the spin-friendly conditions often seen during the English summer. With both Georgia Wareham and Linsey Smith in the squad, the Superchargers possess a varied and potent spin attack.
Wareham’s leg-spin provides a genuine wicket-taking threat through the middle overs, while Smith’s left-arm orthodox offers control and the ability to build pressure from the other end.
External Competition and Scheduling Pose Challenges
However, external competition remains intense. Several rival teams boast greater depth, regular match-winners, stronger finishing power, and more established bowling attacks, all of which could prove decisive in high-pressure matches.
Player Availability a Potential Disruption
Player availability also presents a potential threat. The Australian trio of Litchfield, Sutherland, and Wareham are central to the team’s balance, but their demanding international schedules, including an upcoming series against India followed by the World Cup, could lead to fatigue or sudden withdrawals.
Losing even one of them during a critical phase of the tournament may disrupt the team’s rhythm. With few like-for-like domestic replacements available, any absence could significantly weaken the Superchargers’ competitiveness.
