Slater inspires Heat cricketer’s comeback
BILLY Slater has inspired Brisbane Heat star Chris Lynn to keep his baggy green dream alive following the Innisfail star’s remarkable NRL comeback this season.
Lynn hopes to return from shoulder surgery in the 2017-18 Big Bash League after re-signing with the Heat for five years to become the Twenty20 competition’s first $1 million man.
He will stay in Brisbane until at least the 2021-22 season, while Heat coach Dan Vettori and assistant coach Shane Bond have penned twoyear contract extensions.
Master blaster Lynn has his sights firmly set on the white ball, aiming to also feature in Australia’s post-Ashes oneday and T20 internationals this summer.
But he has not shelved his red ball plans thanks to inspiration from an unlikely hero – Melbourne, Queensland and Test fullback Slater.
The NRL star made a stunning comeback from a similar shoulder complaint to Lynn’s this season after almost two years on the sidelines, reclaiming his Maroons and Test No.1 jerseys and featuring in Melbourne’s 2017 premiership.
Lynn said recovering from his third serious shoulder injury in two years had been a “nightmare”. But witnessing Slater’s inspirational return has provided hope he can get back to his best – in all formats.
Lynn’s red ball days appeared numbered after he knocked back a Queensland Bulls first-class contract to concentrate on the BBL this season.
But he did not rule anything out after watching Slater prove all his detractors wrong.
“He would have gone through some tough times so it was great to see him bounce back and show he was still a world-class player,” Lynn said.
“Watching him makes me want to bounce out of bed and be a better player and person.”
Lynn admitted his shoulder would never be 100 per cent after July’s surgery.
But he would be “over the moon” at 90 per cent fitness after conceding he had played the BBL in recent years at “50 to 60 per cent” – a scary thought considering he has won the past two player-of-thetournament awards, inspiring crowds with his big hitting.