Newly signed Adelaide Strikers power-hitter Chris Lynn has revealed that he was hurt by not receiving a new contract at the Brisbane Heat for the upcoming BBL season, but needed a change.
Lynn's contract has been one which has been closely monitored in Australian cricket terms.
After being cut by the Heat at the end of last season, it was thought for a period that the former Australian representative wouldn't receive a new deal to play in the Big Bash League.
Speaking to News Corp, Lynn said the club had inklings he wasn't happy last season.
“Obviously ego gets in the way a little bit when you’re not offered a contract... it obviously did suck a bit at the time, but I had the privilege to play for 10 years at the Brisbane Heat and it’s been awesome,” Lynn said.
“They had inklings I wasn’t overly happy with what’s gone on in there and a change is as good as a holiday and I needed a change.
“I was pretty flat throughout the last season to be honest. I’m not using that as an excuse. I suppose I just needed a breather away from the game."
Signing with the new IPL-backed UAE-based ILT20 league, Lynn was seemingly all but out of the BBL, with Cricket Australia claiming he needed a no objection certificate to play in the overseas league.
Ultimately, a deal was confirmed between the two parties, with Lynn joining the Adelaide Strikers for a majority of the season before jetting around the world to play in the UAE.
Lynn said that six weeks ago he believed he was no chance of playing in the BBL, and that legal action with Cricket Australia over restrain of trade would have been a "last resort."
“If you had told me six weeks ago I would have said I was no chance of playing the BBL,” he said.
“I’m stoked with the outcome and I know it’s not the full season, but 11 games is better than none and I do miss two games over in the Emirates League, but that’s OK.
"Other people were saying that [taking legal action], not me. It’s a tough one because obviously that’s a last resort and that’d be a pain in the arse for me as well. You never want it. I’m a pretty simple bloke. I don’t like causing too much of a fuss."
