BBL record-holder Chris Lynn cut by Brisbane Heat after 11 seasons

Cricket

Chris Lynn is looking for a new BBL club after Brisbane Heat made the shock decision to delist the BBL’s all-time leading runscorer after 11 seasons at the club.

Queensland Cricket and Brisbane Heat CEO Terry Svenson confirmed on Wednesday that Lynn would not be offered a new contract for next season after another disappointing year where Heat finished seventh.

Lynn is the only player in BBL history to have scored more than 3000 runs, having made all of them for Heat in 105 matches but managed just 215 runs in 12 matches last season. He has also captained the club 50 times, more than any other player. Jimmy Peirson took over as captain last summer under new coach Wade Seccombe.

“It’s not a decision that has come easily to the Heat by any means,” Svenson said. “Chris Lynn and his feats have made an indelible impression on the club, and his efforts over more than a decade can rightly be said to have had an enormously positive effect on cricket.

“We should gratefully acknowledge the influence he has had on a generation of kids who have grown up thrilled by his batting exploits.

“His appearance in a teal jumper each year would no doubt be linked by many households to the onset of their holidays, with the BBL being such an integral part of summer holidays.”

“The Heat wish him nothing but the best for the future as he transitions into another phase of his career and thank him wholeheartedly for his commitment to the game in Queensland.”

The decision was made by Queensland and Brisbane Heat’s retention and recruitment committee which includes Svenson, Seccombe, Kirsten Pike, board member Ian Healy, selector Chris Hartley and high-performance general manager Bennett King.

Healy, who chairs the committee, said the decision marked the beginning of the next phase at Heat.

“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,” Healy said. “He holds a very special place in our history.”

Heat look likely to land Australia Test opener Usman Khawaja after he opted to leave Sydney Thunder for family reasons. Khawaja is Queensland captain and lives in Brisbane with Heat looking a natural fit for him in order to spend more time at home during the BBL over the Christmas and New Year period.

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