Chris Lynn even has his own T20 Twitter hashtag, and is playing in the Caribbean Premier League while his fellow Australians contest the Ashes, but he still takes pride in his longer-form game
Peter Miller06-Jul-2015Of all the Australian cricketers that are still on the fringes of the Australian squad there is none as exciting as Chris Lynn. He was in the top ten run scorers in the most recent Big Bash – averaging over 30 with a strike rate of a touch under 150. His batting has caught the attention of fans to such an extent that he has his own hashtag – #Lynnsanity.His shot making and excellent fielding has made him a bit of a cult figure in T20 cricket. He is currently playing for the Jamaica Tallawahs at the Caribbean Premier League and but for injury he would have been at the IPL.He lies second in Tallawahs’ averages, and has the second highest strike rate, too, although when it comes to batting insanity he still has to concede bragging rights to his team-mate Chris Gayle.Asked if he was aware that most considered him a T20 specialist he was realistic about the reasons why while underlining that he wants to play all formats. His first-class average of 48 certainly suggests he is far from a one-trick pony.”I guess I have just played more Twenty20 cricket. I have played maybe five years of first-class cricket and I haven’t played as much as I would like though,” Lynn said. “Those numbers are still pretty good but they could still get better. You don’t want to be pigeon-holed as a white ball cricketer. It will be nice to play red ball cricket but I am very grateful just to play cricket.”At Lynn’s State side there have been quite a few changes in recent months. Phil Jaques has replaced Stuart Law as Queensland coach and there has been something of a clear out in the squad. Lynn is looking forward to the new relationship.”There has been a flush out and quite a few new faces. But having said that doesn’t change the way we play as a team and that is going to continue.”One proposed change that has not yet come about is any suggestion that Lynn would be installed as the captain, something he says he would love to do.”Growing up that is the dream – to captain your state. Whether I get it or not, that is another thing. Again, that doesn’t change my game. I am still going to try and be a leader on and off the field.”While Lynn says that his ultimate dream is to play Test cricket, saying you would have to be “mad not to” have that as your career goal, realistically it will be in T20 internationals that he will get a sustained opportunity.He made his first two T20 international appearances in January 2014 against England, batting just once making an excellent 33 not out off just 19 balls. However, when the World T20 squad was named Lynn was not amongst those that were selected.”I believe I came in for Dave Warner and Shane Watson who were rested in those T20 series. And obviously they slot back in and I was the unfortunate guy to miss out. I’m not upset about it all. I know if I do the right things and continue down the right path I will definitely get the opportunity again.”The next World T20 gets under way in just under nine months’ time, and Lynn is clear that getting in the side for that event would be fantastic.”To play a World Cup T20 is again, another dream. I haven’t thought about it too much, I have just been trying to get back on the paddock last year. “Lynn has been at the IPL for three seasons, he missed the 2015 edition due to a hamstring injury, but he has still only played three matches at the tournament. Despite this limited opportunity he still feels it has been a valuable experience.”Just getting to learn and train with the best players in the world is great and you appreciate the opportunity when you do play. Sat on the sidelines for 99% of the time you are learning from a different point of view and then when you do get that opportunity you just need to make the most of it and soak it up.”In the world of franchise T20, rather than having one coach year-round players now have the input of several. Some of the guidance will work, some won’t. For Lynn the key is to be open about trying new ideas and about your own failings.”The biggest key is honesty, you have to tell the coach your strengths but also your weaknesses. The moment you try and hide them just to get a place in the team that is when your team falls short.”One of those men that Lynn has worked with is the new England coach, Trevor Bayliss. Lynn is effusive in his praise for the man he worked for at the Kolkata Knight Riders.”Bayliss just keeps it very simple. There is enough experience and talent around and he just simplifies the game, very much like Darren Lehmann does. Everybody has his respect when he talks, everybody listens.”Being at Kolkata there is no way you can tell Gautam Gambhir or Robbie Uthappa to play a certain way. He gave all the accountability to the players and I think that is a good thing, He gave them no excuses.”Chris Lynn is playing for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Hero Caribbean Premier League. The Biggest Party in Sport runs from June 20 to July 26.