'Sad to see': Cricket world stunned by shock Chris Lynn news
Cricket fans have reacted with shock and surprise after the Brisbane Heat sensationally axed club great Chris Lynn on Wednesday.
Lynn is on the hunt for a new BBL club after the Heat decided not to renew the 32-year-old's contract for the 2022/23 season.
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Lynn has played 11 years and over 100 games for the Heat and is the BBL's all-time leading run-scorer.
He has played 18 T20 internationals for Australia, as well as four one-day internationals.
The Queenslander has spent a decade with the Heat in the BBL and has played for numerous T20 franchises in India, Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Canada, plus the English Hundred competition last year.
He has scored more than 6000 runs at T20 level, scoring two centuries and 40 fifties.
"Chris Lynn will be missed by thousands, however the decision we have made as a club is about building on the legacy that he leaves as a foundation player, captain and ambassador for the Heat," said Ian Healy, who leads Queensland's recruitment and retention committee.
"We thank Heat members, fans, corporate partners and sponsors for their wholehearted support of 'Lynny' and recognising his great performances over the past 11 seasons.
"He holds a very special place in our history."
Lynn signed a five-year deal with the Heat in 2017, which the club labelled the biggest in BBL history at the time and was believed to be worth more than $1 million.
Despite also holding the record for most sixes in the competition, Lynn has struggled for form in recent seasons.
He relinquished the captaincy last season after a string of low scores and recurring shoulder injuries.
The six-hitter made a career-worst 215 runs at just 17.91 in his 12 innings last season and only passed fifty once as the Heat finished the tournament in seventh with just three wins.
While some fans were surprised by the decision to cut him loose, others could see the Heat's perspective.
Journalist Daniel Cherny wrote on Twitter: "Brisbane Heat not offering Chris Lynn a contract is the embodiment of the BBL turning into a league where clubs put winning over entertainment, perhaps to the league's detriment."
Brisbane Heat confirm Chris Lynn will not be offered a new contract. Will be weird seeing him play for another BBL franchise. https://t.co/2kx9Y3CQai
— Adam Jackson (@AdamJackson_9) May 11, 2022
Disagree. Lynn has failed too many times over the past few seasons at the Heat and is the cause for a lot of their poor starts with the bat. Time for him to move on and for Heat to create a new look without him.
— Simon Duca (@simeducs) May 11, 2022
Let’s be honest he’s not the same player he once was
— Matt Simpson (@_mattsimpsonn) May 11, 2022
Should of done that years ago
— Troy Bellamy (@BellamyTroy) May 11, 2022
Stars will be all over it.
— Kyle Armstrong (@Guts2231) May 11, 2022
Don't think it's that much of a surprise. His form the past two seasons has been ordinary.
— Ian Harkin (@sportznut67) May 11, 2022
Vale the Heat career of Chris Lynn. We'll miss the 6s, we'll miss the unders, but most of all we'll miss the three ashen faced apologies per season to the Heat fans about how the team's batting was unacceptable and won't happen again
— Lenny Phillips (@lenphil29) May 11, 2022
Sad to see this.
If you’re playing word association and someone says “Brisbane Heat” the first answer is always Chris Lynn.
Hope we still see him in the @BBL https://t.co/CTQatABO7g— Michelle Cooling (@shell_cooling) May 11, 2022
Damn That’s tough thanks @lynny50 🐐
— Leroy Bulman (@legends1997) May 11, 2022
This was a shocker! Brisbane Heat was Chris Lynn. But anyway, what a video to send off their biggest player! Wonder if IPL teams could also start making farewell videos of this kind for their players. https://t.co/N1wbGvP8kh
— Rayhaan (@Cricket_Savant) May 11, 2022
Shocked, but not altogether surprised. Maybe a move will help restore the destructive form that has deserted Chris Lynn in recent times. Thanks for the #Lynnsanity, @lynny50! https://t.co/rqHRWBMgj3
— Jonathan Northall (@jnorthall) May 11, 2022
Chris Lynn heads to England for T20 tournament
Earlier this month it was announced that Lynn had been signed by English county Northamptonshire to play in their domestic T20 competition.
"He fits the bill really well in terms of his power at the top of the order," said Steelbacks skipper Josh Cobb.
"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."
"I have always wanted to play county cricket and am really looking forward to linking up with Northamptonshire," said Lynn
Northants won the trophy in 2013 and 2016 but have not reached the four-team Finals Day since.
Lynn joins fellow Australians Ben McDermott, Nathan Ellis (both Hampshire Hawks), Ashton Turner (Durham) and Dan Christian (Notts Outlaws) in signing for counties purely to play the T20 Blast.
The season starts on May 25.
with AAP
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