Lynn says big-hitting ability due to league

TWENTY20 gun Chris Lynn believes rugby league is the secret behind his six-hitting superpower.

Lynn struck his best international score at the SCG last Saturday, guiding Australia to a seven-wicket win against New Zealand with a comfortable 44 of 33 balls.

The Brisbane Heat superstar will bat at No.3 in tonight’s T20 clash against England in Hobart and is steadily finding form following an injury interrupted summer.

Lynn, 27, has developed into one of the world’s most exciting white-ball batsmen, launching 174 sixes in 98 T20 franchise matches.

He blasted 26 sixes in just five matches for the Heat last summer to be crowned the Big Bash League’s player of the tournament for the second straight year.

Listed at a generous 180cm, Lynn is by no means a monster of a man, yet his ability to clear the boundary is unique.

And the massive NRL fan puts his talent down to a youth spent playing footy alongside the likes of Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough.

“I was a niggly little halfback for Norths Devils and Samford Stags,” Lynn said.

“I went to a few Broncos camps. I had a scholarship with them for one or two years but I got injured and had a knee reconstruction.

“I was getting bashed at training because they were so big. But at cricket training I could have a smile on my face because I knew I didn’t have to tackle someone that looked like Petero Civoniceva.

“I was the Queensland under-12s rugby league and cricket captain of both teams. Andrew McCullough was in both teams.”

“I grew up playing a fair bit of rugby league so my core strength is half decent.

“That’s where your drives comes from. Your legs and core strength. That’s where the power comes from.”