Lynn ideal for Cup bid, says Gilly

TEST great Adam Gilchrist believes Chris Lynn is the missing ingredient that can get Australia’s faltering World Cup defence back on the rails.

Gilchrist ranks as one of the most devastating oneday batsmen of all time and was in awe of the way England’s top order took 50over hitting to another level in its recent thrashing of a depleted Australia.

England stars Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan have redefined how the format is played. But after falling behind the pace, Gilchrist believes Australia can catch up quickly if Lynn finds a way to overcome his shoulder problems and stay on the field.

It’s understood Lynn is aiming to play in Queensland’s JLT One-Day Cup campaign in SeptemberOctober, which Gilchrist believes will be invaluable in the 28-year-old rediscovering the art of batting time after feasting on a T20-only diet for the past couple of years. Few in the world game can combine power with batting for long periods, but Gilchrist believes Lynn is capable of harnessing the two forces.

“I think Chris Lynn is a must for Australian whiteball cricket teams,” Gilchrist said. “From what I’ve witnessed in England, the way England are just based on power and intent. It’s really about strength and power and their ability to get it to, or over, the rope almost at will.

“I think Chris Lynn fits into that and I’d be really keen to see him — the asterisk of course being his fitness and his shoulder issues.

“He knows he needs to prove he’s fully fit and scoring the runs to get in.”

Lynn’s strict maintenance of his shoulder at this stage doesn’t involve any plans to play Sheffield Shield cricket. However, if the shoulder improves, Gilchrist believes a reintroduction to the four-day format would be beneficial leading into a World Cup.

Even in 50-over domestic cricket, Gilchrist says Lynn will benefit from getting out of the T20 mind set of trying to bat with a 150-strike-rate, and focus more on building an innings.

“If Chris Lynn faces 100 balls in a one-day international, he’s going to be closer to 150 or 170 than 100,” said Gilchrist. “If he can rekindle that desire to play long, impactful innings, that’ll benefit him and the team.”