Bulls need Lynn to fire

Q U E E N S L A N D s k i p p e r Jimmy Peirson has backed star batsman Chris Lynn to come out swinging against Tasmania at Riverway Stadium today as the Bulls look to open their JLT Cup account.

Lynn made an unhappy return against Victoria last weekend in his first domestic one- day match in almost five years, dismissed for a duck after smashing a ball straight to Glenn Maxwell at point.

Debutant Max Bryant scored a sensational 45 from 38 balls, but the rest of Queensland’s top order struggled to make an impact in the 13- run loss.

Lynn has developed into one of the most devastating six- hitters in world cricket and Peirson expected him to bounce back strongly against the in- form Tigers.

“It’s weird seeing Lynny not get runs. It just feels like every time I watch Lynny bat he gets runs,” Peirson said.

“What I can tell you is during the week he’s smacked the ball in the nets.

“He’s going to hurt one of these teams soon and it’s going to be a big hurting too. We can’t wait to see how he goes.”

Tasmania made a statement earlier this week to beat Victoria by 66 runs, with opener Matthew Wade smashing a 65- ball century.

But Peirson was confident Queensland’s pace attack led by Billy Stanlake and Mark Steketee would be able to keep the Tigers in check as they chase their first win of the season. “We want to set the tone with the ball and we’ve got some big, scary quicks. Big Billy Stanlake and Mark Steketee will bowl it fast,” he said.

“We were a little bit shaky through the middle order in the last game so we’re looking to iron those cracks out and hopefully make a nice, dominant performance.”

Peirson will take over the Bulls captaincy from Lynn after recovering from hamstring surgery, which was expected to rule him out for the entire one- day tournament.

The wicketkeeper admitted that it was tough to sit out Queensland’s opening JLT Cup match and he was delighted to already be back on the field.

“I was told I wasn’t going to play any one- day cricket this year so to get up here in Townsville I’m still pinching myself,” Peirson said.

“Not playing the first game really stung me so I did everything I could to get ready to play.’’ Play gets underway at Riverway Stadium from 10am. Entry is free.