Master blaster Chris Lynn credits rugby league for source of his six-hitting power

BEFORE Chris Lynn was hitting sixes for fun, the mad NRL fan used to share a field with Ben Hunt, Andrew McCullough, James O’Connor and Jharal Yow Yeh and he credits the game for developing his power.

Chris Lynn smacks a six against New Zealand.

TWENTY20 gun Chris Lynn believes rugby league is the secret behind his six-hitting superpower.

Lynn struck his best international score at the SCG last Saturday, guiding Australia to a seven-wicket win against New Zealand with a comfortable 44 of 33 balls.

The Brisbane Heat superstar will bat at No.3 in Wednesday’s T20 clash against England in Hobart and is steadily finding form following an injury-interrupted summer.

Chris Lynn smacks a six against New Zealand.

Lynn, 27, has developed into one of the world’s most exciting white-ball batsmen, launching 174 sixes in 98 T20 franchise matches.

He blasted 26 sixes in just five matches for the Heat last summer to be crowned the Big Bash League’s player of the tournament for the second straight year.

Listed at a generous 180cm, Lynn is by no means a monster of a man, yet his ability to clear the boundary is unique.

BLASTER: Why World Cup glory hangs on Lynn

KOLKATA: Lynn lands monster $1.86m IPL deal

And the massive NRL fan puts his talent down to a youth spent playing footy alongside the likes of Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough.

“I was a niggly little halfback for Norths Devils and Samford Stags,” Lynn said.

“I went to a few Broncos camps. I had a scholarship with them for one or two years but I got injured and had a knee reconstruction.

“I was getting bashed at training because they were so big. But at cricket training I could have a smile on my face because I knew I didn’t have to tackle someone that looked like Petero Civoniceva.

Lynn played alongside Broncos rake Andrew McCullough in the juniors.

“I was the Queensland under-12s rugby league and cricket captain of both teams. Andrew McCullough was in both teams.

“In the league side we had Macca, Ben Hunt, Lama Tasi, James O’Connor, Dunamis Lui and Gerard Beale. We had a fair bunch. I played junior footy with Jharal Yow Yeh.

“I like to get around the footy boys in winter and support them.”

Lynn was far from the biggest player on the footy field and had to rely on his core strength to be competitive.

Captaining Queensland’s under-12 state team proves he was a genuine league talent and those years in footy have helped him on the cricket pitch.

Lynn also played with James O'Connor. Picture: Darren England

“In the gym we max out every two months as cricketers,” he said.

“The rugby guys, just tackling is a maximal effort.

“I grew up playing a fair bit of rugby league so my core strength is half decent.

“That’s where your drives comes from. Your legs and core strength. That’s where the power comes from.

“I wanted to whack the ball and I used a heavier bat as a kid.

“That’s paying dividends now. I can swing a heavier bat and the ball goes further when you make contact.”

Lynn maintains playing for Australia is his priority, however he must escape through the current series unscathed before he can take up a $1.86 million deal in the Indian Premier League.

Originally published as Master blaster Chris Lynn credits rugby league for source of his six-hitting power