NEWS
Follow UsChris Lynn has stepped down as captain of Brisbane Heat after three seasons in charge to focus on his batting, the Big Bash League club announced on Wednesday (June 30). Wicketkeeper-batsman Jimmy Peirson, who led Brisbane in five games last season, is the front-runner for the role.
Lynn was out for four matches because of hamstring and that's when Peirson took over the command. The Heat won three games under his leadership before Lynn returned and finished as the tournament's fourth-highest run-scorer. Brisbane made it to the Challenger final last season before being defeated by Perth Scorchers.
"It has been a huge honour to skipper the Heat for the last three years and I am very grateful for all the backing and support from the players, coaching and backroom staff and the loyal Heat fans and sponsors," Lynn, who led Brisbane in 48 games, said in a statement.
"I am very proud to have led the boys and I have really enjoyed my time as captain. I have thought long and hard about my decision, and I think it is the right time for someone else to take over the reins and keep building with this talented group of players."
The dynamic right-hander is the leading run-scorer in BBL history, with 2790 runs at 37.20 and a strike rate of 151.05. He has also smoked 172 sixes in the tournament - 75 more than the next best, Glenn Maxwell (97).
"Something like this is never a simple or comfortable process, and Chris certainly has our full support for the decision he has reached. We certainly respect his choice, and the reasoning behind it. He hasn't rushed things and has consulted with key people in his life to make this call," Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson said.
"Having spoken at length with him, I am very confident that he and Heat will both benefit from his decision and we certainly look forward to him bringing his experience and undoubted batting prowess to bear on the BBL 11 season and beyond."