The Hundred: Darren Lehmann resigns as Northern Superchargers head coach

Former Australian batter Darren Lehmann has resigned from his role as the head coach of Northern Superchargers, the Headingly-based team in The Hundred. Lehmann served the team in the inaugural edition of the competition, which took place in 2021. However, he won’t be available for the 2022 season. Notably, Lehmann, who is one of the most prominent catches going around, suffered a heart attack on his 50th birthday in early 2020.

He has been stepping back from his coaching commitments since then. Ahead of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2021-22, he stepped down as the head coach of Brisbane Heat and moved to a role of an assistant. He has now left the Superchargers ahead of the second season of the Hundred.

I have taken the decision with a heavy heart: Darren Lehmann

“It’s with a heavy heart that I have taken the decision to step down as men’s head coach at the Superchargers . As for many people, the continuing uncertainty around Covid-19, quarantining and restrictions begins to play a part in your decisions. I loved my time with the Superchargers. Last season, despite all the challenges of Covid, was up there with one of my coaching highlights,” Lehmann said in a statement.

“The UK public got behind the new competition and I see it going from strength to strength. I thank the Northern Superchargers supporters, my coaching staff and the players and wish them all well,” he added. The chairman of the Superchargers, Heather Jackson confirmed that Marcus North, Durham’s director of cricket, would be taking on lead cricket responsibilities in the franchise.

He will also be responsible for appointing a new head coach for the team, along with Andy Dawson, their general manager. Meanwhile, the Northern Superchargers, under David Willey’s leadership, couldn’t do much in the inaugural edition of the tournament. They lost three of their eight games in the competition while one encounter got washed out due to rain.

Hence, the side would like to put up a better show this time around. Meanwhile, the 2022 edition of The Hundred is scheduled to start in early August.