Chris Lynn serves one‑month ban for out‑of‑competition cocaine use
Chris Lynn completed a one‑month suspension that ran from 31 July to 30 August 2026 after a positive cocaine test from the T20 Vitality Blast final on 18 July. The English cricket regulator determined the drug use occurred on the night of 15 July and early hours of 16 July, outside competition, and reduced an initial three‑month sanction after Lynn entered a substance‑abuse treatment programme. Northamptonshire Steelbacks faced no penalty, and Lynn remains unsigned with any Big Bash League team but is eligible to play.
Key facts
- The urine sample was analysed at a WADA‑accredited laboratory in France, detecting the metabolite benzoylecgonine.
- One of two anti‑doping charges was dropped because the detected level was below the WADA threshold.
- Lynn scored 39 runs in the semi‑final and four runs in the final of the T20 Blast.
- The ban was announced on 11 September, the eve of the Big Bash League season.
- Lynn has not played professional cricket since the start of his suspension.
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Why it matters
The case highlights anti‑doping enforcement for out‑of‑competition drug use in cricket.
What changed
First published from The Independent, Yahoo Sports, ABC News (Australia) and CNA