Australian Cricketer Chris Lynn Served Secret One-Month Cocaine Ban

OPA WIRE, Nov 5 (OPA) — Australian batter Chris Lynn served a one-month cocaine ban from July 31 to August 30 after returning a positive drug test during T20 Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston on July 18. The 36-year-old provided a urine sample hours after helping Northamptonshire claim the trophy for the third time, scoring 39 in the semi-final and four in the final. Analysis at a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in France detected benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.

England's Cricket Regulator accepted evidence that Lynn's cocaine use occurred out of competition over several hours on July 15 and into the early hours of July 16, following a quarter-final win over Gloucestershire where he retired hurt after being struck on the foot. The regulator dropped one of two original anti-doping charges because the detected concentration fell below the minimum threshold. The remaining breach carried a proposed three-month suspension, which was reduced to one month after Lynn completed a substance-abuse treatment program.

Following the T20 Blast, Lynn travelled to Sri Lanka for the Lanka Premier League and made one appearance for the Galle Gallants before a leg injury ruled him out on July 29. Two days later, the regulator notified him of his positive test and imposed a provisional suspension. Lynn responded on August 20, admitting to the drug use and providing timeline evidence. Formal notice of the charges followed on September 23, and Lynn accepted the sanction.

Cocaine is prohibited in competition under anti-doping rules and is classified as a substance of abuse. Lynn has not played professional cricket since his brief stint in Sri Lanka. His playing future has drawn renewed attention amid reports linking him with a Big Bash League move to the Melbourne Renegades, though the signing has not been officially announced.