Chris Lynn serves one-month doping ban after testing positive for cocaine

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Australian T20 batter Chris Lynn served a one-month suspension following a positive test for cocaine during the T20 Blast Finals Day in England in July, with the Cricket Regulator confirming the 36-year-old completed a rehabilitation program, as reported by Cricinfo.

The power-hitter underwent routine anti-doping screening on July 18, the same day Northamptonshire won the T20 Blast title for a third time. Lynn posted scores of 39 and four across the two matches played on Finals Day.

His urine sample was subsequently dispatched to a testing facility in France for laboratory analysis, where technicians detected benzoylecgonine, a primary metabolite of cocaine.

Following the tournament, Lynn flew to Sri Lanka to participate in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). However, he was sidelined from the competition on July 29 with an unspecified leg injury after making a single appearance for Galle Gallants.

Two days afterwards, the Cricket Regulator formally notified him of the adverse analytical finding, leading to an immediate provisional suspension.

Three weeks later, Lynn admitted to using cocaine, clarifying that the substance was taken outside a competitive setting and bore no connection to his cricket performance.

He disclosed that he had used the substance “during a period of several hours across the evening of 15 July 2026 and into the early hours of 16 July 2026”.

Earlier that night, Lynn retired hurt during Northamptonshire’s quarter-final win over Gloucestershire after receiving a blow to the foot from a low full-toss bowled by Duan Jansen.

Suspension reduced following completion of treatment program

The Cricket Regulator initially levied two charges against Lynn under the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) anti-doping code. However, one charge was later withdrawn because the cocaine concentration fell below the minimum threshold required under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations.

Authorities initially evaluated a three-month sanction but reduced the ban to one month once Lynn verified the completion of an approved substance abuse treatment program.

The treatment program was officially marked complete on August 30, exactly one month after his provisional suspension began.

Lynn has not returned to professional cricket since completing the ban. Though he has yet to formally sign a Big Bash League (BBL) contract, Australian media reports indicate he has agreed to terms with the Melbourne Renegades.

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