Cricket
Melinda Farrell 6y

CA deny Lynn NoC over injury concerns

Global T20 Canada, Cricket

Concerns surrounding a shoulder injury caused Australian authorities to deny Chris Lynn a No Objection Certificate for the Global T20 tournament, currently taking place in Toronto.

Organisers announced Lynn as a marquee player for Edmonton Royals in the inaugural Canadian competition, but he has been absent for the start of the tournament. ESPNcricinfo understands the decision to deny Lynn a NOC was shared by Cricket Australia, Queensland and Brisbane Heat.

Lynn's long term issues with his troublesome right shoulder flared up when he dislocated it while diving in the field during the Australia's Tri-Series Final win over New Zealand in February. He had been playing with the issue for some months, despite its severe restrictions on his ability to throw and field.

As a result of the injury, the Australian batsman was ruled out of the Pakistan Super League, where he was signed by Lahore Qalandars, but he was sufficiently recovered to play 16 games in six weeks for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

At the conclusion of the IPL, scans showed Lynn's shoulder had recovered to the point it was deemed stable and sound and required no surgery. Lynn was, however left out of Australia's ODI and T20 teams that were whitewashed on the recent tour of England.

ESPNcricinfo understands that management decided he needed further rehabilitation in order to recover full range and strength in his shoulder. It is understood there is still a strong chance Lynn will be deemed fit to play for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League, but CA's main priority is to have him ready to compete in Australia's domestic one-day competition, the JLT Cup, in September.

A fully-fit Lynn, able to move and dive freely in the field in addition to his powerful batting, would be a major asset for Australia leading into next year's World Cup.

Lynn's importance to Australia's ODI side has been heightened after Steven Smith and David Warner were banned for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. Both players were granted NOCs to compete in the GT20 competition.

Far from the only late withdrawal from the tournament, Lynn was replaced by Andre Fletcher in the Edmonton Royals squad. The three Pakistan players called into the squad for the T20I tri-series have been replaced by Anton Devcich at Toronto Nationals, Umar Akmal at Edmonton Royals and Dwayne Smith at Montreal Tigers.

Separately, Rumman Raees was replaced by Mohammad Sami in the Nationals squad while South African Christiaan Jonker was replaced by Farhaan Behardien for Montreal Tigers. The three Sri Lankans in the Montreal Tigers squad have been replaced by Moises Henriques, Peter Siddle and Kevon Cooper.

^ Back to Top ^