Christopher ‘Chris’ Lynn, born on April 10, 1990, is an Australian cricketer renowned for his aggressive, right-handed batting style and ability to hit huge sixes. Hailing from Brisbane, Queensland, he has represented Queensland in first-class cricket and the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL), previously having a long and successful stint with the Brisbane Heat. His domestic career began when he made his first-class debut for Queensland at just 19 years old. A week later, he showcased his potential by scoring a match-saving 139 runs against Western Australia. Away from professional cricket, he plays for Toombul District Cricket Club and is a known supporter of the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League.
Chris Lynn’s international career promised much but never truly took off, primarily because of timing, fitness and fierce competition within Australia’s white-ball setup. He made his T20I debut in 2014 and immediately caught the eye with his power and fearless approach, including a memorable international fifty against England that showcased his ability to dominate elite attacks. However, repeated injury setbacks - particularly chronic shoulder problems that required surgery - disrupted crucial phases of his career and prevented him from building momentum at the highest level. At the same time, Australia’s limited-overs teams were stacked with established stars and emerging hitters, which meant opportunities were rare and inconsistent. He also made his ODI debut in 2017 against Pakistan. As his international chances dwindled, Lynn increasingly focused on T20 franchise leagues around the world, where his skill set was ideally suited and he enjoyed greater continuity, ultimately resulting in a short but impactful international stint rather than a long-term role with the national side.
Lynn established himself as a T20 specialist, particularly in the BBL where he was a dominant figure for the Brisbane Heat from 2011 to 2022. He was named the Player of the Tournament in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. The latter was especially spectacular, as despite playing only five matches, he scored 309 runs at an exceptional average of 154.50, including a memorable unbeaten 98 containing 11 sixes. However, his BBL career later saw a dip in form, leading to his departure from the Heat. He continues to play in various global T20 leagues, including for the Montreal Tigers in the Global T20 Canada, where he captained the team to the championship in 2023 and finished as the leading run-scorer.
His performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have been marked by explosive hitting and unfortunate injuries. After being part of the Deccan Chargers squad early in his career, he found greater prominence with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In 2017, he made an instant impact, including a rapid 19-ball half-century. However, a recurring shoulder injury often restricted his participation. A memorable comeback match saw him and Sunil Narine smash 105 runs in the first six overs, making the second-highest Powerplay score in IPL history at the time. He later played for the Mumbai Indians after being released by KKR.
Lynn also made a significant impact in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with the Lahore Qalandars. Despite an initial season missed due to injury, he returned in 2020 and became the team's leading run-scorer for the season. His career-best T20 score of 113 not out in the final group stage match helped the Qalandars qualify for the play-offs for the first time in their history. Overall, Lynn's career is defined by his incredible power-hitting ability and the frequent battles he has faced with injuries, but he remains a highly sought-after commodity in Twenty20 cricket across the globe.
