Australian cricket star Chris Lynn served a one-month suspension after testing positive for cocaine during England’s T20 Blast Finals Day, with details of the disciplinary action only becoming public months after the ban ended.
The 36-year-old admitted using cocaine following Northamptonshire’s quarter-final victory in July.
His proposed three-month suspension was subsequently reduced after he completed a substance-abuse treatment programme.
Lynn Tested Positive After T20 Blast Finals Day
Lynn provided a urine sample during the T20 Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston on July 18, when Northamptonshire secured the competition title for the third time.
The Australian batter scored 39 runs in the semi-final before adding four in the final as his team lifted the trophy.
However, analysis of his sample at a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in France detected benzoylecgonine, a substance produced when the body processes cocaine.
Lynn later acknowledged taking the drug on July 15 and into the early hours of July 16, several days before the test.
Australian Admitted Drug Use After Quarter-Final Victory
The cocaine use occurred after Northamptonshire defeated Gloucestershire in their quarter-final on July 15.
During that match, Lynn had retired hurt after being struck on the foot by a low full toss from Duan Jansen.
England’s Cricket Regulator accepted evidence that the drug use took place outside competition and was not connected to sporting performance.
Following Northamptonshire’s successful T20 Blast campaign, Lynn travelled to Sri Lanka to participate in the Lanka Premier League.
He made one appearance for Galle Gallants before a leg injury ruled him out on July 29.
Cricket Regulator Reduced Proposed Suspension
On July 31, two days after Lynn was ruled out of the Sri Lankan competition, the regulator informed him of his positive test and imposed a provisional suspension.
The former Australia international responded on August 20, admitting the cocaine use and providing evidence establishing when he had taken the substance.
The regulator initially brought two charges under the England and Wales Cricket Board’s anti-doping regulations.
However, one charge was later withdrawn because the concentration detected in his sample was below the minimum threshold required to support it.
The remaining violation carried a proposed three-month suspension.
This was reduced to one month after Lynn submitted confirmation that he had completed a substance-abuse treatment programme.
One-Month Ban Ended in August
Lynn served his suspension from July 31 to August 30, with the sanction officially completed at the end of that period.
Formal notification of the charges was issued on September 23, and Lynn accepted the disciplinary outcome.
The case only became public on Friday, several months after the Australian had finished serving his suspension.
Under anti-doping regulations, cocaine is prohibited during competition and is also classified as a substance of abuse.
The regulator’s acceptance that Lynn’s use occurred outside competition and had no connection to sporting performance was central to the reduced penalty.
Melbourne Renegades Move Raises Questions About Lynn’s Future
Lynn has not returned to professional cricket since his brief appearance in the Lanka Premier League.
His playing future has recently attracted attention following reports that he has agreed to join the Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming Big Bash League season.
However, the proposed signing has not yet been officially announced.
The 36-year-old remains one of Australia’s best-known Twenty20 power hitters.
During his international career, he represented Australia in four One-Day Internationals and 18 T20 Internationals.
His last appearance for the Australian national team came in 2018.
