Chris Lynn confirms deal with Northamptonshire for T20 Blast

Australian batter Chris Lynn has signed a deal with the Northamptonshire Steelbacks for the T20 Blast and will be playing county cricket for the first time. The 32-year-old has represented Australia in 18 T20Is and four ODIs between 2014 to 2018.

Lynn’s name was at the top of Northants’ wishlist as a second foreign player to join James Neesham for this year’s tournament, and the club announced about the deal on May 2 (Monday). Lynn made his English domestic debut last year when he played for the Northern Superchargers at The Hundred, but this will be his first-ever experience at the T20 Blast.

“I have always wanted to play county cricket and I’m really looking forward to joining up with Northamptonshire for the Vitality Blast. The UK is a great place to play and I am hopeful that I can contribute with some good performances and also try to entertain the Steelback fans this summer,” Lynn was quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

He has amassed over 6,000 runs in 230 T20 matches throughout, including two centuries and 40 half-centuries, and has also captained the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. But he has not been able to perform much at the BBL in the past two years. Chris Lynn averages 23.20 in T20 cricket since August 2020, and has a strike rate of 133.33.

I really get the feeling Lynn has a hunger to go out there and perform: Josh Cobb

Northants’ skipper Josh Cobb feels that Lynn is the right fit in their team as an opening batter and the correct replacement for Adam Rossington. “To get someone of Lynn’s quality is an excellent signing. He fits the bill really well in terms of his power at the top of the order and fills that slot for us nicely. I really get the feeling he has a hunger to go out there and perform and when he does Wantage Road certainly won’t be big enough,” Cobb said.

“Lynn’s captained the Brisbane Heat for a number of years too so for me personally he brings those leadership qualities as well. I’m looking forward to working alongside him and getting some different views he might have,” he added.

Northants are two-time champions of the game but have not managed to win a title since 2016. They kick off the 2022 season on May 26 against the Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston, followed by a home game against Durham the following evening.