New Delhi, 06 November (H.S.): Australian T20 batter Chris Lynn was handed a one-month suspension following a positive test for cocaine use after the T20 Blast Finals Day in England in July. England’s cricket regulator has confirmed that the 36-year-old has since completed a treatment and rehabilitation programme to address substance misuse. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Lynn has also served the full period of his suspension.

Lynn underwent a routine anti-doping test on July 18, the same day Northamptonshire won the T20 Blast title for the third time after emerging victorious in the Finals Day matches. He scored 39 and four runs in the two matches he played that day.

His urine sample was subsequently sent to a laboratory in France for analysis, where it was found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite produced by the body after cocaine consumption.

Immediately after the T20 Blast, Lynn travelled to Sri Lanka to participate in the Lanka Premier League. However, after featuring in just one match for the Galle Gladiators, he was ruled out of the tournament on July 29 due to an unspecified foot injury.

Two days later, the cricket regulator informed him that his sample had returned an adverse analytical finding and provisionally suspended him. Around three weeks later, Lynn admitted to cocaine use. He clarified that the incident had not occurred during a sporting competition and had no connection with his cricketing performance.

Lynn disclosed that he had consumed the substance over several hours, beginning on the evening of July 15, 2026, and continuing into the early hours of July 16. Earlier that evening, he had retired hurt during Northamptonshire’s quarter-final victory over Gloucestershire after being struck on the foot by a low full toss from Duan Jansen.

The Cricket Regulator initially charged Lynn under two provisions of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) anti-doping regulations. However, one of the charges was subsequently withdrawn after the concentration of cocaine detected in his urine sample was found to be below the minimum threshold required for a charge under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations.

The regulator had initially considered imposing a three-month suspension. However, the proposed penalty was reduced to one month after Lynn provided confirmation that he had completed a treatment programme for substance misuse. His rehabilitation programme was deemed to have been completed on August 30, exactly one month after his provisional suspension began.

Since serving the suspension, Lynn has not returned to professional cricket. He has also yet to officially confirm a contract for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. However, according to reports in the Australian media, he has agreed to join the Melbourne Renegades.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar