Australian slugger Chris Lynn smashed an unbeaten 72 to make his early exit from the Big Bash League worthwhile as he guided the Gulf Giants to the inaugural ILT20 title in the United Arab Emirates.
Lynn was the leading scorer in the BBL when he left the Adelaide Strikers to go and collect a massive cheque in the new UAE competition, which snared other significant Big Bash talent in its first season.
Watch Australia‘s Tour of India. Every Test & ODI live & ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
He’d only passed 30 once in his previous seven innings for the Giants but saved his best until last, smashing nine fours and a six in his 50-ball innings to chase down the 147-run total set by the Desert Vipers with eight balls to spare.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva plundered 55 (27) for the Vipers in the first innings, with West Indies all-rounder finishing with figures of 3-19 from four overs to secure Player of the Match honours.
Last August, Lynn became the first player to get a no objection certificate from Cricket Australia to play in the UAE despite being actively sought by BBL franchises.
It came as he signed with the Strikers, who allowed him to miss the final three games of the Big Bash to go and play in the UAE, with top players earning contracts up to $650,000 for the five-week tournament.
The Strikers lost all three games Lynn didn’t play and missed the finals, and his return remains a high priority for the club.
“If we can find a way to make it (re-signing Lynn) work, we’d certainly look to explore it, but there’s so many of these leagues popping up every bloody day,” Strikers coach Jason Gillespie said last month.
“He’s been in constant contact with us … he’s still checking in, wishing the boys all the best.
“He genuinely loved his time with us.”
Lynn is the leading run-scorer in BBL history with 3421 runs in 113 matches.
– with NCA NewsWire
