Brisbane Heat news: Chris Lynn stands down as Brisbane Heat captain

Chris Lynn stands down: The most successful batsman in the Big Bash League has resigned from the captaincy role at Brisbane Heat.

Chris Lynn will no longer lead Big Bash League franchise Brisbane Heat in a bid to focus on his batting. Already the highest run-scorer (2,790 runs at an average and strike rate of 37.20 and 151.05 respectively) in the BBL, Lynn has led Heat in 48 T20s across four seasons.

In what was his second stint as a full-time captain, Lynn had to miss as many as six matches in the league stage after injuring his hamstring while attempting a running catch before the start of a match.

Having played for a decade at Brisbane Heat, Lynn is highly likely to add a lot as a specialist batsman. During Lynn’s absence in the last season, wicket-keeper batsman Jimmy Peirson had led the franchise and appears to be the most likeliest of candidates to play a full-time role post Lynn’s resignation.

Among active Brisbane Heat players, Peirson is the third-highest run-scorer (1,160 runs at an average and strike rate of 22.74 and 124.06 respectively) for the club after Lynn and Joe Burns (1,237).

Chris Lynn stands down as Brisbane Heat captain

“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 said in a statement.

“Something like this is never a simple or comfortable process, and Chris certainly has our full support for the decision he has reached.

“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,” Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson said in a statement.