'He's a scary opponent': Langer

New Australia coach Justin Langer has signaled his interest in power hitter Chris Lynn, labelling the Queenslander "a scary opponent".

Lynn was not considered for Australia's upcoming ODI and T20 tours of the UK and Zimbabwe, as he is due to see a specialist regarding continued treatment on his ongoing shoulder problem following his commitments with Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. 

With his fielding and throwing still restricted by the injury, it is understood Lynn will continue rehabilitation through the winter in Brisbane with an eye to turning out for the Bulls in the JLT One-Day Cup competition at the beginning of next summer. An appearance there would mark his first involvement in that competition since 2013, while he hasn't played a 50-over match since turning out for an ODI against Pakistan in January 2017. 

But with the 50-over World Cup a little over 12 months away, and a World T20 tournament in Australia in 2020, Langer has flagged the 28-year-old as being very much on his radar. 

"As an opposition coach, he's the player I'm most scared of," Langer told radio station SEN on Wednesday. 

"So when we play against Brisbane Heat, or we play against Queensland, I get very nervous. 

"They're the ones you like to have in your team. 

"Of course, he needs to get himself fit – I think he's seeing the surgeon when he gets back from the IPL."

Lynn has had a productive IPL campaign with Kolkata (his 370 runs place him 13th on the list of leading scorers), though notably he has not been at his most explosive – a strike-rate of 131.67 is down from his career mark of 146.25.

On Tuesday he scored 45 from 42 balls to help guide his team to victory over Rajasthan, and the third-placed Knight Riders now look well placed to qualify for the finals. 

Langer is yet to work with Lynn in any capacity, having watched him from his former positions as Warriors and Scorchers mentor. But the former top-order batsman is clearly keeping a close eye on a man who looms as a potential white-ball match-winner for Australia, particularly in the absence of suspended pair David Warner and Steve Smith. 

"He made a pretty good fist of it overnight for KKR," Langer added. 

"He's a dynamic player, and they tell me he's a good bloke – I don't know him at all. 

"But he's a scary opponent."

Qantas tours of England and Zimbabwe

ODI squad: Tim Paine (c), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

Qantas Tour of England

June 7: Warm-up v Sussex, Hove (D/N)

June 9: Warm-up v Middlesex, Lord's

June 13: First ODI, The Oval (D/N)

June 16: Second ODI, Cardiff

June 19: Third ODI, Trent Bridge (D/N)

June 21: Fourth ODI, Durham (D/N)

June 24: Fifth ODI, Old Trafford

June 27: Only T20, Edgbaston (D/N)

Qantas T20I tri-series Tour of Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 1: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Monday, July 2: Pakistan vs Australia

Tuesday, July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Wednesday, July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Thursday, July 5: Pakistan vs Australia