Northern Superchargers put their faith in experience for Hundred campaign

Northern Superchargers are hoping to prove the value of experienced heads in The Hundred, with veteran all-rounder David Wiese claiming “old is gold”.

Since finishing fifth in the men’s table last year there has been a heavy emphasis on recruiting seasoned campaigners to the Headingley-based outfit, whose competition begins with a trip across the Pennines to face Manchester Originals on Friday.

Faf du Plessis, who has re-signed to captain the side after concussion ruined his 2021, is one of two 38-year-olds in the squad alongside Dwayne Bravo, with Wahab Riaz, Roelof van der Merwe and Wiese all 37.

With a trio of 34-year-olds also in the first-choice XI – Adil Rashid, John Simpson and Adam Lyth – the Superchargers are shaping up as the elder statesmen of The Hundred, something Wiese feels can work in their favour.

“There’s been a saying going round in franchise cricket these last couple of years that old is gold, hopefully we’ll go to show that’s true,” the Namibia international told PA news agency.

“There’s no substitute for players who have been there and done that. It seems likes the more experience guys have, the more it comes through and shows in those vital pressure moments. You always need the exuberance of youth but it’s about mixing that with the experience too.”

Wiese was speaking at a community event in Leeds’ Roundhay Park, joining Du Plessis and England bowler Matthew Potts as they batted, bowled and fielded with local children before serving up ice creams for those in attendance.

Potts was one of the major attractions, having seen his stock rise sharply making a splash with England’s Test side earlier this summer.

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