Lynnsanity off the leash

Australia have named the XI that will take on Pakistan at the Gabba in the first ODI with skipper Steve Smith saying that Chris Lynn will be allowed to play his natural game.
Tall fast bowler Billy Stanlake will be the second debutant in the team after impressing in the Matador Cup and Big Bash League.
Fans of T20 cricket will already be familiar with Chris Lynn who has starred in the Caribbean Premier League, the IPL and the BBL.
Lynn is a clean hitter with a penchant for rapid scoring and if he gets going he can take the game away from the opposition in a hurry.
The Brisbane Heat man has been managing pain from a bulging disc in his neck but has been deemed fit enough to play.
Batsman Travis Head has earned himself a promotion to the top of the order having impressed up top during the Matador Cup.
Smith said of Lynn: “He’s got a licence to play the way he wants to play.
“But 50 overs is a long time so you’ve also got be a bit smarter with the way you play, but he’s got some freedom to go out and play nice and positively.
“He’s been a bit stiff and sore in the last couple of days but he’s confident he’ll be able to play and do well.
“He’s been in red hot form and hopefully he can bring that to the international stage.
“I’ve watched him in the nets in the last couple of days and he’s hit the ball hard and well so hopefully he can do the same for us.”
With Head and Glenn Maxwell taking their place in the XI there is no room for the leading ODI wicket-taker of 2016 Adam Zampa.
Usman Khawaja has earned a recall to the squad but won’t play in the first ODI with Australia keen to try out a new combination.
Smith added: “It was a tough call [to leave out Khawaja]
“I think looking around the squad, Maxwell was in the last group and it was good to get him into the line-up.
“And Travis Head played very well in the last series and we’ve seen him play very well at the top of the order in the Matador Cup so it’s given him an opportunity at the top and we’ve got plenty of power down the order.
“It’s a good opportunity for Travis, but unlucky for Usman.”
Smith was excited at the prospect of playing with the lanky Stanlake who has impressed him in the Big Bash.
The skipper added: “I think he’s going to be the tallest player to play for Australia so it’s great having those kind of guys in the team.
“He bowls with good pace and it looks like he bowls with good control as well so it’s a good opportunity for him tomorrow.
“He should get bounce, he’s releases the ball from high enough. He’s an exciting prospect.”
Australia XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Steve Smith (c), Chris Lynn, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Billy Stanlake
Latest
-
News
Harry Brook denied at the death as Lancashire snatch tie in Roses clash
Richard Gleeson trapped the new England call-up lbw with only one run needed for victory.
-
News
Brendon McCullum hoping to help England Test team lose ‘fear of failure’
The former New Zealand captain is looking to improve a record which has seen England win just one of their last 17 Tests.
-
News
Brendon McCullum: England can be the nation to reverse Test cricket’s fortunes
The former New Zealand captain has been appointed head coach of the England Test team.
-
News
Matthew Mott: Andrew Symonds came close to playing for England over Australia
The then-teenager was offered a place on the England A tour of Pakistan in 1995 after scoring four centuries for Gloucestershire.
-
News
Stephen Eskinazi stars in record-breaking Middlesex win over Gloucestershire
Paul Stirling made the first century of the Vitality Blast season for Birmingham Bears.
-
News
Ollie Robinson’s England hopes scuppered by back problem
The seamer was plagued by persistent back issues during the Ashes series and missed all three matches against the West Indies.
-
News
Justin Langer blames politics for Australia exit and laughs off England links
Langer was linked with one of the two vacant posts with England.
-
News
He deserves to be there – England’s Matthew Potts backed to shine in Test arena
Potts has received his first international call-up for the squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
-
News
On this day in 2015: Trevor Bayliss appointed England head coach
The Australian leapfrogged initial front-runner Jason Gillespie to replace the sacked Peter Moores.
-
News
Andrew Strauss sets five-year goal for England men’s side to rule all formats
The former England captain and director of cricket is overseeing a high performance review into English cricket.