Chris Lynn, the all-time top run scorer in the BBL, has signed a new one-year contract with the Adelaide Strikers and will be available for the duration of the tournament, marking his 15th season in the league.
After a spectacular conclusion to the T20 Blast season in the UK, when he hit 108 not out from 51 balls, including 11 sixes, to help Hampshire defeat Northamptonshire in their semi-final, Lynn, 35, has signed for a fourth season with Strikers.
Since Strikers’ last four games fall after the conclusion of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney, they are excited to have him back as a key cog in a top order that will also include Australia white-ball batter Matt Short and possibly Test star Alex Carey at the end of the Ashes series. However, he was unable to replicate the dose in the final. Travis Head, the former captain of the Strikers, is not under contract with the BBL this season after missing all of his games during his previous contract; nonetheless, he might still be signed by Strikers under the BBL’s marquee player clause.
Lynn is only 45 runs away from becoming the first player to hit 4,000 lifetime runs in BBL history.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Adelaide Oval and helping the team go deep into finals this year,” he stated. “We’ve got an exciting squad this season and I can’t wait to see what we can produce when we take to the pitch.”
Lynn hasn’t participated in an entire Strikers season. Due to short-term contracts for his first two seasons, he was able to play in the ILT20 in the UAE instead of the BBL’s later stages. Last season, he only managed seven games before suffering a hamstring injury. In contrast to previous years when there was a maximum outflow of talent late in the season, the ILT20 has been shifted to early December, and more international players are expected to be available for the BBL’s tail end.
After making Lynn’s re-signing a top priority, Strikers coach Tim Paine was thrilled to see him return.
“We’re thrilled to have Chris returning to the Strikers as we strive for a deep finals campaign,” he stated. “While his batting exploits speak for themselves, his experience and leadership are equally invaluable to our emerging players within the squad.”
After losing Brendan Doggett to the Melbourne Renegades and Jake Weatherald to the Hobart Hurricanes, Strikers have already bolstered their roster with younger players Jason Sangha and Mackenzie Harvey.
Jamie Overton, who agreed to take a “indefinite break from red-ball cricket” and is therefore not eligible to play in the Ashes, will also be available for the duration of the BBL.
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