Lynn finally set to shrug off injuries

E X P L O S I V E Q u e e n s l a n d batsman Chris Lynn plans to measure his success in games more than runs this summer as he prepares to play his first domestic one- day match in almost five years.

Lynn will captain the Bulls in their JLT Cup clash with Victoria at Riverway Stadium on Sunday after overcoming a miserable run with shoulder issues which have stifled his career.

The 28- year- old has not represented Queensland at any level since a rare Sheffield Shield outing in March 2017 while his last one- day game for the Bulls was in the 2013- 14 final, scoring an unbeaten 58 off 40 balls as they beat NSW by five wickets.

Lynn hoped his shoulder issues were behind him after returning from a modest stint with the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League, but he insisted just staying healthy was his biggest focus.

“Everyone asks what my goals are – I don’t say runs, I say, ‘ try and play 12 months of the year without getting injured’,” Lynn said.

“It’s been a long couple of months since I popped my right shoulder out ( playing a T20 for Australia in February) and then I went to the IPL and was playing probably only 60 per cent over there.

“Coming to the Caribbean I didn’t play the best cricket, but my body felt really good which is really positive.

“I can come into this tournament with a good preparation and am confident of getting through the whole tournament.”

Lynn admitted he has had to temper his aggressive approach in the field to protect his troublesome shoulder, but he was confident he could still unleash his power hitting for the Bulls.

“I had a couple of half dives in the field in the Caribbean Premier League and they’re nervous dives as well so I’m still getting used to that,” he said.

“Because I’m so competitive I want to dive for every ball, but I’ve got to learn just to pull it back a gear because I know the longevity is important to me and I don’t have too many more dives in me.

“It looks a bit awkward, but it’s just safety first rather than taking that competitive side for the sake of one or two runs.

“I can make that up with the bat in one or two balls.

“I’ve just got to put the ego aside and play what’s in front of me.”