Lynn set to put shoulder to the wheel
CHRIS Lynn’s shoddy left shoulder is causing him sleepless nights, but Brisbane Heat’s Big Bash superstar is ready to put it all on the line for an Australian jersey.
Lynn, 26, has smashed 26 sixes in five matches to, catapulting the Heat into Big Bash title contention.
He whacked 11 sixes in the Heat’s nine-wicket win against Perth on Thursday night, prompting former players Andrew Symonds and Damien Fleming to call for his inclusion in the national side.
Selectors will name a squad today to play Pakistan in the first of five one-day internationals at the Gabba on Friday.
With unbeaten Big Bash scores of 84, 85 and 98, Lynn has mounted a strong case for a call-up, especially after incumbent George Bailey had a lean series against New Zealand last month.
The only hurdle Lynn could face is his shoulder injury.
He aggravated the problem in Tuesday’s loss to the Sixers when diving on the boundary and revealed he was suffering despite his rich vein of form.
“I’m getting scans (today). I think it’s a nerve pain. It’s quite sharp,” he said.
“I don’t reckon I’ve slept over four hours for the last three weeks. I wake up quite cranky some days.
“At the end of the day I’m still playing cricket, which is the main thing.
“It would be a bit tougher to get through a 50-over game.
“I’ve been fielding inside the circle and that’s fine. I just have to be careful diving. The worst feeling is not diving and letting your teammates down. They say you shouldn’t dive but it’s something you have to do.”
While Lynn’s left shoulder is an ongoing concern, his form could be too hard for the selectors to resist.
He is striking the ball as well as he ever has and has been a consistent matchwinner this summer.
Lynn has a top score of 33 not out from five Twenty20 appearances for Australia and said he was hopeful of earning a 50-over debut after overcoming injury struggles.