Strikers veteran Chris Lynn has wound back the clock to deliver a BBL masterclass and lift Adelaide to a seven-wicket win on New Year’s Eve.
Against his former side, Lynn’s unbeaten 79 (off 41 balls) sealed the win over the Brisbane Heat and ensured Adelaide’s six-game NYE losing streak ended in spectacular fashion.
“Chris Lynn put away the Heat from the outset,” Fox Cricket’s Kerry O’Keeffe said.
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“It was just royal stuff from Lynn-sanity.”
The match was set up by an impressive start from Strikers duo Liam Scott (2-12 off four) and Jamie Overton (3-19 off four) at Adelaide Oval.
With the Heat bowled out for just 121, Adelaide sat in the box seat for much of the contest before Lynn ensured the Strikers came away with victory.
Lynn brought up his 1000-run milestone at the Strikers, and also became the first BBL player to reach the magical 4000-run milestone during his impressive knock that included six fours and six sixes.
Three of those came in the 14th over as Matt Kuhnemann copped the brunt of Lynn’s demolition job.
Liam Scott then sealed the win with a four the following over.
Earlier, the Heat were in deep trouble after being sent in to bat as their top order crumbled at Adelaide Oval.
In eerily similar circumstances, Colin Munro (4), Jack Wildermuth (5) and debutant Lachie Hearne (2) all spooned catches off the toe of the bat to leave the visitors 3-17 in the fifth over.
But their night only soured further when Matt Renshaw (6) was run out by a brilliant piece of Chris Lynn fielding.
And when Max Bryant feathered one through to the keeper, the Strikers were well on their way to breaking their six-year NYE win drought.
“They are in some Barney Rubble here – the crowd are still coming into the ground!” Aussie great Brett Lee said.
“The sun might still be up when the game is over,” O’Keeffe said.
“Cricket is on steroids at the moment!”
Only Matt Kuhnemann (31* off 22) and Hugh Weigben (28 off 33) showed some fight as the Heat were all out for 121 off 19.4 overs.
In reply, it was Chris Lynn who steered Adelaide home from the outset. Liam Scott bringing up the win with a boundary off Matt Renshaw and 35 balls to spare.
THE RUN OUT THAT CRUELLED HEAT
Brisbane were in early strife off the back of three near-identical dismissals.
But they still had danger man Matt Renshaw at the crease so hope remained.
Enter veteran Chris Lynn.
The Strikers star was quick to the ball in the field and with one peg to aim at, threw down the stumps mid-dive and sent Renshaw packing in the moment that turned the match.
“Massive wicket, massive moment,” Brett Lee praised.
First replays appeared to show Renshaw safe, but it was an in-between frame that ensured the Heat star had to go.
“So many worries about that shoulder when (Lynn) dives… everyone gets a little nervy,” Mel Jones said in commentary.
“They didn’t think they had their man – it’s Renshaw! That is massive for the Strikers.”
“The veteran has underarmed from short distance to run out the dangerman Matt Renshaw,” Kerry O’Keeffe added.
When asked on the moment he “wound back the clock”, Lynn couldn’t help but smile.
“Didn’t I just (wind back the clock)?” he said.
“It’s something I’ve worked hard on over the last couple of weeks, couple of months. To get the big boy Renshaw out, it just lifts the spirits.
“I haven’t scored the runs I would have liked prior to this knock – you’ve got to be able to added value somewhere so I was glad to be able to chip in somewhere.”
Renshaw’s wicket ensured the Heat dropped to 4-20 off 5.3 overs. And they never recovered.
LYNN-SANITY GOES LARGE
Chris Lynn brought his best in a New Year’s Eve demolition job against his former side the Brisbane Heat.
The Strikers star was unstoppable as he brought up his half century at Adelaide Oval – making that now 14 straight seasons where he’s delivered that BBL milestone.
“He’s unbowlable to tonight Chris Lynn,” Kerry O’Keeffe said.
“He’s delighting the home crowd.
“What entertainment he’s delivering.”
Lynn would finish unbeaten on 79 off just 40 balls.
“He was just stunning,” O’Keeffe praised.
“He just blew this game away,” Brett Lee added.
Most BBL runs*
4065 – Chris Lynn
3311 – Aaron Finch
3282 – Glenn Maxwell
3188 – Moises Henriques
3138 – D’Arcy Short
3071 – Marcus Stoinis
*as at December 31, 2025
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AFRIDI HEADS HOME
After consultation with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical staff, the decision has been made for injured Shaheen Shah Afridi (knee) to return home to recover ahead of the T20 World Cup campaign starting in early February.
“I have enjoyed myself a lot playing for Brisbane and I am sad that I will not be able to finish the season with the team,” Afridi said.
“I am massively thankful to the Heat fans for showering me with immense love and support. I am also grateful for the support of the team and their amazing hospitality.
“The BBL was everything I had heard it would be – lots of good, skilful cricket. I have enjoyed the challenge.”
The injury is just another blow to a Brisbane outfit already missing Aussie star Spencer Johnson, who was ruled out of the summer with a back issue.
They’ve been without skipper Nathan McSweeney for consecutive matches after he sustained an ankle injury in the record-breaking win over the Perth Scorchers earlier this month.
Tom Alsop (knee) is also sidelined as the Heat head into their rematch with the Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve.
Just four days after the two sides’ met, and the Heat got home by seven runs, the two teams will clash once more.
All-rounder Jack Wood has been granted BBL Technical Committee approval to join the Heat as a local replacement for the NYE blockbuster.
Heat vs Strikers BBL full highlights | 14:46
SQUADS
Adelaide: Matt Short (c), Hassan Ali, Mackenzie Harvey, Chris Lynn, Harry Manenti, Harry Nielsen, Jamie Overton, Lloyd Pope, Alex Ross, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton, Jerrssis Wadia, Luke Wood
Brisbane: Tom Balkin, Xavier Bartlett (c), Max Bryant, Liam Haskett, Lachlan Hearne, Matthew Kuhnemann, Colin Munro, Oli Patterson, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Hugh Weibgen, Jack Wildermuth, Jack Wood
In: Jack Wood Out: Shaheen Shah Afridi (knee), Tom Alsop (knee)