[Exclusive] Border-Gavaskar Trophy is nearly bigger than the Ashes: Chris Lynn

One of the most terrific hitters of the cricket ball, Australian cricketer Chris Lynn is currently engrossed in the Zim-Afro Cup 2024. The 34-year-old is featuring for the Joburg Bangla Tigers in the novice T10 league, who are set to play the finals alongside Cape Town Samp Army on September 29.

On the sidelines of the Zim-Afro T10 Cup 2024, Lynn was in an exclusive conversation with CricTracker and the right-handed batter shed light on the latest 10-over format of the game. The veteran also opined on the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy. He also reflected on his stay with Kolkata Knight Riders and playing alongside Gautam Gambhir.

1. Chris, you struck a 105-run stand with Sunil Narine which broke quite a few records. Then Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma broke it recently. Did you ever imagine that it'll be broken in T20 cricket?

Yeah, I guess, first of all, batting with Sunil Narine was awesome. We had to get 105 in the power play. I think it was in Bangalore in an IPL fixture. I just remember, I think it was 99, and there was one ball left in the power play. I was like, shit, I have to get to 100. I think Yuzi Chahal was bowling. It's obviously against a spinner, so it was quite challenging. It was turning as well. I swept it and I was like, it was a bigger sigh of relief to get to 100 because no one had got to 100 in the powerplay before. 

Then this year, Travis Head goes out. Not only does he beat it, he beats it by 15, 20 runs. I'm like, so it takes Teddy [Head]. I'm like, thanks for ruining my one-world record I had. It was quite funny, but the scores are just getting bigger and bigger. We've seen the impact player rule. Adding that extra batter in the lineup is good viewing. Some people have different views of the impact player, but as cricketers, we're also entertainers. What a lot of people love seeing, we'll fly around the park. Yeah, look, before you know, if someone get 150 in six overs, then it's going to be astonishing.

2. What are your thoughts on the Zim Afro T10? You've been around the T10 circuit for quite a while. You hold a few records there also.

Yeah, the runs are going. The way runs are being scored, it's crazy. It's been quite similar in the T10 tournament here at Zim Afro. We saw 100 also. We saw the highest total being breached a couple of times already this year. 

3. So, what are your thoughts on the T10 format?

T10 is a great format. As I say, it's the fastest format, the fastest-growing format, I believe. As I said, we're here to grow the game. People want to watch short, fast, explosive batting, and bowling. But don't underestimate, the wicket is still the same length, the ball is still the same size, and the boundaries are the same size as well. You've seen the ball swing here, so you still have to have a good general base from a batting point of view.

Yeah, big George Munsey hit 100 a few days back. Yeah, look, you can't take away the power hitting, what we're seeing. This is my first time in Zimbabwe, so I know that it's only getting bigger and better. From all reports, last year was a success, and this year, it's been awesome It's a shame it only goes for so many days, a short amount of time. But yeah, look, the final time coming up. The Bangla Tiger's coaching staff, management, and ownership group have been awesome. We're looking forward to just finishing on a high. Look, at the end of the day, you can play some great cricket and still lose.

For me, it's all about how do we grow the game or how do we get better. There's been the youngsters that have come up and they want to talk about it, and I absolutely love that aspect of the game. So yeah, it's been cool. We got the likes of David Warner here, who's played all around the world. Davy doesn't have to be here, but his passion for the game of cricket, it's amazing to see that he's giving back like that.

4. What are your thoughts on the T10 in terms of the future of cricket? Because about a decade and a half ago, when T20 was introduced, there were a couple of question marks on the T20 format as well.

Look, T10 is here to stay, no doubt about that. The fact that you can play three games in a day, three matches in a day. Sometimes you play twice a day. So, the people that are coming into the ground or even the viewership get to experience five, or six different teams. So, they're getting their value for money. They're seeing the ball fly around the park.

But as I said earlier, the fundamentals of the game of cricket never changed. The pitch is the same length, the ball is the same size, ball is spinning. T20 used to be hit and giggle. I think T10 too, but there are actually methods of madness and plenty of layers for the game. In short tournaments like this, it's a big thing. Whichever team gels the fastest and has the most fun will win the tournament.

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5. Do you think the T10 can transcend to the international stage, just like the T20 has for franchise and international cricket now?

That's a great question. I think it's got the potential, too. But personally, I think the T10 is a franchise format. We're seeing T20 go more to franchise cricket and less international, just because of the calendar year. I think it should stay a franchise base because we're here to give and find the best players around the world. That's what T10 offers. Guys that don't have the time to play four-day cricket or one-day cricket, T10 is a perfect opportunity. We're unearthing these new talents around the world, and it's great to see.

6. I'll just move a little away from the franchise. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is coming up soon. Can Australia break India's trip? What's the feeling amongst the Aussies and what's the rivalry between the two pace attacks?

Look, it's nearly bigger than the Ashes. Nearly bigger. I just think there's a rich history of the Ashes. That's why it's bigger. But wherever India go, there's a huge following. Eyeballs are watching the TV. This is why it's a big series because the teams are so even. I mean, if you look at the Travis Head's form of late, he can't miss the middle of the bat. We've got Steve Smith, who looks like he's going back down to number 4, who I think is the best batter nearly of all time. 

Then you got the likes of Bumrah. You got Jadeja and Ashwin, who's just taking wickets and scoring hundreds. You got Hazelwood, you got Cummins. There are so many names that you can just rattle off. That's why it's so good. To be honest, I'm not a big Test cricket watcher, but I'm glued to the TV when these two teams are playing, especially those day-night pink ball games when the ball's swinging around. It's that twilight period. It's so awesome to watch them. The way someone like England are playing, they're putting Test cricket back on the map. Australia are playing the same way as well as India, and New Zealand. They're always driving the game.

This is, I think, a byproduct of T10, T20, the way it's going. Guys are going out there not afraid to whack the new ball. But yeah, it's going to be a close series. But look, Australia can win, no doubt. I'm going to be biased, but we've got guys who are back fully fit. So yeah, it's going to be interesting. But this is why it's called Test Cricket. It's a test of our mental and physical character.