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Dynamic Brisbane Heat batsman Chris Lynn has continued his blistering Big Bash form, helping his side to a 56-run victory over Melbourne Stars on Thursday.
Lynn cracked five sixes in one Ben Hilfenhaus over on his way to 56 from 24 balls to lead the Heat to their third win their final game of the tournament.
The Queenslander is in great touch. He finished the campaign with 378 runs at a strike rate of 173.39. ‘Lynnsanity’ is sweeping the nation, with many experts tipping him for a place in Australia’s Twenty 20 squad ahead of next year’s world cup in India.
You could also argue that Lynn is unlucky not to be playing in the current one-day series between India and Australia.
However, English superstar and Melbourne Stars import Kevin Pietersen was quick to rain on the parade during the match on Thursday. Pietersen was mic’d up during the Stars’ clash with the Heat and spoke to the commentators shortly after Lynn had taken 30 from an over.
The Stars’ import was quick to express his concerns with Lynn’s batting and his chances of earning a spot in Australia’s T20 team.
“Until he destroys a spinner on a slow turner, I’m not going to be sold on the idea,” said Pietersen.
“Hitting through the line here, [with a] big bat, balling coming on in Australia. By all means, I’m sure you’re going to give him a go, but from experience, don’t expect miracles,” he said.
And maybe KP has a point.
Lynn missed this season’s Matador Cup after dislocating his shoulder shortly before the start of the tournament and was always going to struggle to crack into the ODI team because of that.
However, the 25-year-old’s domestic record throughout his career hasn’t been all that flattering. He averages just 31.19 at a strike rate just under 90. He’s scored eight 50s and never made a domestic one-day century.
There’s no doubt Lynn is an exception striker of the ball. He can score a lot of runs, very quickly. But should he be playing limited overs cricket for Australia?
To answer that, you need to have a look at who is there now.
Despite being in great form, Lynn is not likely to crack into the Australia ODI top six anytime soon.
The Aussie batsmen have been firing in their current series with India. Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith and George Bailey have all been among the runs, while we know how dangerous Glenn Maxwell can be in the middle order.
Throw in a keeper, Matthew Wade and another all-rounder in the form of James Faulkner, and you’ve got a pretty airtight batting order.
That’s not including arguably Australia’s most important limited overs cricketer, David Warner, who is currently resting following the birth of his second child.
Having said that, Lynn’s big-hitting form cannot be overlooked in preparation for the T20 World Cup next year. Australia play three T20s against India later this month and we are likely to get more of an idea of how a potential squad may look, as selectors begin to mould a team for the tournament in April 2016.
With Warner and Finch the obvious opening pair and skipper Steve Smith filling either the number three or four role, Lynn will be left to fight for an out-an-out batsman’s role against the likes of Shaun Marsh and George Bailey.
With the Heat’s Big Bash campaign now over, Lynn won’t have another chance to prove his worth to the Australian selectors ahead of the upcoming T20 series.
Whether you think he should be playing in that series or not, it’s hard to argue that he couldn’t have done any more than what he has this summer to put his name forward.
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