Lynn in demand, signs on for Northants return

Chris Lynn is embracing his freedom as a T20 free agent, with the BBL’s all-time leading run-scorer signing on for consecutive T20 Blast seasons in the UK with Northamptonshire.

Lynn will return to Northants in 2023 after a dominant tournament this northern summer where he became the first player from the club to hit two T20 centuries.

He was the club's highest run-scorer this year with 516 runs, striking at a phenomenal 159.25 across his 11 matches.

Image Id: 410A48A3FA0E4A51BF8E0A7AD857B8DF Image Caption: Lynn hammers 68 off 37 for Northants against Leicestershire on July 1 // Getty

The 32-year-old was then signed as one of 21 marquee players in the UAE's new International League T20 (ILT20) tournament on the back of his English season, which he will play after joining the Adelaide Strikers for their opening 11 games of KFC BBL|12.

The landmark deal between Lynn and Cricket Australia announced last week will see the right-hander granted a 'No Objection Certificate' to join the Adani-owned Gulf Giants in the UAE league from January 20.

While details of Lynn's deal with the Gulf Giants remain private, the compromise he reached with CA to play in both BBL|12 and the ILT20 is still set to be a massive financial windfall for the former ‘Bash Brother’.

Top players in the UAE league stand to earn up to A$650,000 for the five-week tournament, with the Queenslander also tipped to earn a six-figure sum for his Big Bash stint.

It has been a dramatic turnaround for Lynn this Australian winter after he parted ways with the Brisbane Heat in May following his leanest BBL campaign in 11 seasons with the club that yielded just 215 runs at 17.91 in his 12 matches.

"I'm so excited just firstly to be a part of the Big Bash, it's an awesome time of the year and even better down in Adelaide," Lynn said last week after signing with the Strikers.

"Cricket Australia … and the Adani-group, they've been really proactive and understanding of the situation of myself, I've got to give huge thanks to (Gulf Giants coach) Andy Flower … without Cricket Australia and those guys working together, this wouldn't have been possible."

Northants skipper Josh Cobb said he was delighted to welcome Lynn back for another season given the interest he no doubt would have attracted from rival clubs following his strong season.

Northants are also set to gain recent BBL|12 platinum draftee David Willey next season following his decision to leave Yorkshire and return to Northamptonshire on a four-year deal in 2023.

"I'm sure (Lynn) wouldn't have been short of interest from other clubs, so it's a real sign of what he thinks of the group and the club as a whole that he wants to come back and get us that one step further," Cobb said.

Lynn said he felt like he had "unfinished business" at Northamptonshire after the club missed qualification for this year's Finals Day by one point.

"I loved my time at Northamptonshire (this season) and hopefully I can keep adding that value," Lynn said.

"Whether it's with the bat with runs on the field or adding value off the field, helping the youngsters, the leaders in the team, all the coaching staff – it's something I'm really keen to do.

"The development of the junior lads and all of the players for that matter is a big priority for me as an overseas pro."