Master blaster delivers
CHRIS Lynn confirmed his billing as Australia’s knight in shining armour this summer with a stunning maiden one- day hundred for Queensland.
Australia’s World Cup defence is currently in a state of disarray, but Lynn’s 64- ball demolition of South Australia yesterday showed he can be their saviour in England next year.
Lynn smashed eight sixes at Hurstville Oval including one on to the road that might have nearly eclipsed the famous Big Bash maximum he once launched on to the roof of the Gabba.
Embarrassingly, Australia has been left behind teams like England over the past two years who have taken top order power- hitting in the 50- over game to another level. It’s understood selectors have pencilled Lynn in as their preferred No. 3 in oneday cricket, believing he can instantly bring Australia back up to speed.
The only drawback is any World Cup heroics from Lynn will have to be done on two legs, with the 28- year- old admitting he is no longer capable of diving in the field, so great is the risk of damaging his suspect shoulder.
It seems incredible that yesterday was Lynn’s first ever 50- over century, but from Australia’s point of view the timing couldn’t be better.
“I haven’t had a question directly ( about the World Cup) but I know what I’ve got to do is just score runs and look after my body,” said Lynn. “It’s not reckless cricket, it’s fear- free cricket. They’re calculated risks.”