T20 star serves ban after positive cocaine test

Former Australian T20 star Chris Lynn served a one-month ban earlier this year after testing positive to cocaine use while playing in England, according to a sport regulator.

The 36-year-old, who played 18 international T20 matches, underwent an In Competition Doping Control test on July 18 while playing in Vitality Blast Finals Day matches between Northampton Steelbacks, Somerset and Hampshire Hawks in Birmingham, England’s Cricket Regulator reported.

A urine sample was sent to a World Anti-Doping Authority laboratory in France, with Lynn confirming on August 20 he had taken the drug on the evening of July 15 and early hours of July 16.

Cocaine is listed as a WADA prohibited stimulant.

Lynn was served a suspension from July 31 to August 30, making him eligible to line up in this summer’s Big Bash League, in which he is expected to play for the Melbourne Renegades, having previously represented the Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat.

The Cricket Regulator’s report also stated the cocaine consumption took place out of competition and was unrelated to cricketing performance. His team, Northampton, was not sanctioned for the positive test.

While the regulator initially sought a three-month suspension, Lynn confirmed his intention to complete a substance of abuse treatment program, which reduced the sentence.

On October 21, the regulator informed Lynn the charge relating to the presence of cocaine had been withdrawn, due to the level in his system being below what would have been needed to charge him under WADA regulations.

Lynn is the BBL’s all-time leading run-scorer, scoring 4133 runs at an average of 35.32, to become one of the competition’s most-watched figures.

He has not played since his sole appearance for Galle Gallants in the Sri Lankan Premier League, in which he scored 46 in his side’s 60 run triumph of the Jaffna Kings.

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