Chris Lynn reveals why he won’t try to play Test cricket

[vvvslaxman]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/chris-lynn-reveals-why-he-wont-try-to-play-test-cricket/news-story/e99d479ea71a6fc8bc277e101a1893ef

 

CHRIS Lynn was once hopeful of following David Warner’s lead and going from T20 slugger to Test star, but that’s no longer the case.

The Brisbane Heat six-hitting machine has carved out a niche for himself in the game’s shortest format and any hope of a career in the whites has all but disappeared.

That’s fine by Lynn, who was bought by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping $1.86 million in last weekend’s auction. Serious shoulder injuries have limited Lynn’s appearances on the park in recent seasons and last year he passed on the opportunity to receive a contract with state side Queensland because he knew he wasn’t going to be available in all formats.

The 27-year-old has plans to continue his career as a T20 gun for hire, saying money — not a baggy green — is more appealing to him.

It’s a decision Lynn says he arrived at following the death of “best mate” Phil Hughes.

“I want to play T20 cricket in Bangladesh, the Caribbean, India, Dubai, around the world,” Lynn told The Triple M Rush Hour with Mark Geyer on Monday.

“Ever since my best mate Phil Hughes passed away, it’s, ‘What do you want out of life?’ I ask myself that every day. Does it make be a better person if I’ve got that baggy green on the wall? That’s up to anyone’s opinion really.

“It doesn’t matter if you earn one million bucks, 500 bucks. My old man never earned over $100,000 annually when I was growing up so what do you want out of life?

“I’m really comfortable with the decision I have made playing T20 cricket and I get to see my family more, I get to see my mates more and to me that’s more important.”

 

Lynn has played 41 first class games since his debut in 2010 and made his ODI debut for Australia in January last year. Although he still has plenty of offer in the 50-over format, his focus is firmly on the 20-over game where he’s become one of the most feared batsmen in the world.

“I actually gave that (Queensland contract) back to pursue T20 cricket,” Lynn said. “I still had two years on my contract and they were going to keep it and just say, ‘No we value your spot in one day cricket,’ which I was always going to play for the Bulls.

“I said, ‘No, no, I’ll give it back. Use that money on a young kid coming through who desires to play Test match cricket.’ A young bloke deserves that opportunity. He can train everyday, I’m going to be overseas.”

Plenty of other cricketers — like Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo — have become T20 freelancers, and the money on offer means that will become a lure for many more. When Glenn Maxwell was left out of Australia’s one-day team to play England, there was discussion about whether he — feeling slighted by another rejection — would give up his national ambitions and take the same path.

The Queenslander hits a long ball.Source: AAP

While Maxwell mentioned it might be something to consider at some stage, he said he was firmly committed to playing for Australia and harboured a burning desire to be a permanent fixture in the green and gold in all formats.

That attitude will please chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns, who on Tuesday urged players to value the baggy green over any T20 riches on offer.

“We want our players to really want to play for Australia and be hungry,” Hohns told Gerard Whateley on SEN’s Whateley.

“I can’t guarantee they are all like that and I can’t guarantee you that there is any that have that attitude that they’re happy to go and collect the dollars.

“It is an interesting one that is happening all around the world. As we are seeing, there’s more and more money becoming available in these T20 tournaments everywhere.

“We just hope, and we want to encourage our players to really be hungry and want to play for Australia.

“All we can do is talk to them and encourage them to understand that they’re important for their country and we can’t do too much more than that.”

[sandeep]

The likes of Lynn and Maxwell are one thing.  I'm more worried about the next Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc or Dale Steyn.  Why should a young 20 year old put their body on the line and give up millions to play 5 day cricket with 300 people in the stadium?   

 

 

[Shunya]

Damn, this guy is smart and blunt. 

[Vilander]

23 minutes ago, sandeep said:

The likes of Lynn and Maxwell are one thing.  I'm more worried about the next Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc or Dale Steyn.  Why should a young 20 year old put their body on the line and give up millions to play 5 day cricket with 300 people in the stadium?   

 

 

fast bowlers will be an endangered breed and test cricket will have to eventually perish or be substantially reduced in quality.

[Cricketics]

Very candid, huge respect. 

[NameGoesHere]

When I read the story , I interpreted it somewhat differently.

 

IMO he first knew he was never going to be good enough or injury free enough to play Tests.  Everything else followed from there.  

 

Heck forget Tests, it seems he doesn't even want to play ODIs (I could be wrong)

 

It's simple.  If he can build a 4-5 year career, from here on,  earning millions playing T20 tourneys round the world, maybe, just maybe he can inspire others to go his route. 

 

But if he's done with poor form or injury, then the whole argument is moot.

 

IMO Tests are not under any threat from guys like these.  We just need to make Tests more exciting, and it's happening.

[veer]

In this regard, BCCI is playing smart. They don't want any of Indian players to go and play in other leagues.. (that's ofcourse to secure IPL business) but also they don't want any freelance cricketer to come out of India who would just by-pass BCCI to make these sort of decisions.

[mancalledsting]

problem is Chris, t20 is a very hit and miss high risk game. It is very hard to be consistent in this format as you don't have time to find the middle of your bat (key to being and staying in good form long term). Whereas if you play international cricket on the side, you with enhance and develop your skills further and expand your brand. How good is K Pollard at t20s? 

Edited January 30, 2018 by mancalledsting

[chewy]

Chris Lynn just put it bluntly but West Indies players being doing these for years now realising more returns in T20 with the effort you put in compared to longer formats

 

question, if this grows, will grassroots coaching change to produce more such batsmen?

 

maybe spice up T20 pitches where technical discipline still required.

Flat pitches should be given poor rating  

[velu]

he dont have balls

i am not trolling http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/big-bash/chris-lynn-reveals-the-funniest-sledge-hes-received/news-story/cbec776bcc3fd9e38a5a191253c942ac

[Sean Bradley]

13 hours ago, sandeep said:

The likes of Lynn and Maxwell are one thing.  I'm more worried about the next Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc or Dale Steyn.  Why should a young 20 year old put their body on the line and give up millions to play 5 day cricket with 300 people in the stadium?   

 

 

Fast bowlers are born and not made, it is not going anywhere, fast bowling is about attitude, it comes from core personality of an individual, as long as the game of cricket exists it will produce fast bowlers.

[sandeep]

3 hours ago, Sean Bradley said:

Fast bowlers are born and not made, it is not going anywhere, fast bowling is about attitude, it comes from core personality of an individual, as long as the game of cricket exists it will produce fast bowlers.

You either don't understand the weight of economic incentives or are wilfully ignoring them.  Even the greatest of "born" talents, vast majority of them, walked away from the game in the 1970s to World Series cricket for small bumps in paychecks.   

 

And I'm not saying fast bowlers won't be produced. I'm saying that the financial structure of the game means that there is very little incentive for fast bowlers to practice their 5 day bowling skills as opposed to their T20 skills.   

 

[Rasgulla]

lynnn

[The Dark Horse]

If only I had such clarity of thought about my career.

[Laaloo]

Because he's a hack

[Lannister]

Don't think he's that good to consistently perform in other formats. I just wish IPL will become much more quality-wise. 

[kosingh]

I see what he's saying but he could have made the point without throwing Phil Hughes' death in there. 

[sandeep]

22 minutes ago, kosingh said:

I see what he's saying but he could have made the point without throwing Phil Hughes' death in there. 

Its hard to justify "mercenary" behavior, so any and all means are used.

[Straight Drive]

It's his career. At least he is aware about his goals and realistic about what formats he can sustain playing. Too much injury prone in last two years. I would be surprised if he plays all 16 matches in IPL. That in itself would be an achievement for him. in terms of being  match-fit.