Chris Lynn and Dan Lawrence investigated over Big Bash League bubble scare

Chris Lynn and Dan Lawrence have come under fire after a having a beer but it’s drawn the bubble under the microscope.

None of this tonight for Chris Lynn.

Cricket Australia has revealed that Brisbane Heat captain Chris Lynn and Dan Lawrence were investigated after coming in close contact with members of the public.

A Daily Telegraph story reported that the pair had a night out over the weekend but the breach will not stop the players taking the field for the Heat’s clash against the Sydney Thunder in Canberra.

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A statement from the Big Bash League said that both players would be required to maintain a physical distance from other players and match officials during the match, having both returned negative COVID-19 tests since Saturday.

But former Australian stars and Fox Sports commentators Mark Waugh, Brett Lee and Brendan Julian have taken aim at the bubble protocols.

“Can we get some consistency in the rules around these breaches?” Waugh said. “When I was down in Canberra for the Internationals, the Australian team was at the pub across the road having dinner. So what is the difference between that and what’s happening here? I don’t understand.”

Chris Lynn was named alongside import Dan Lawrence.

Julian added: “I think we’ve got to move on from it. There are no COVID cases around, players want to get going, poor Chris Lynn, I don’t know where he’s going to sit.”

Lee also called for the bubble to end.

“Anyone who goes to work nine to five here in Sydney, they’re on public transport, they’re on the bus, keeping social distanced of course but lets get through it, the bubble doesn’t work,” he said.

Cricket Australia is still investigating the incident and the extent to which it breaches league protocols.

“It is important we maintain the integrity of the bio-secure hub to ensure the safety of the public, players, staff and officials and minimise issues associated with travel between state borders during the tournament,” CA’s Head of Security and Integrity Sean Carroll said.

“While we are fortunate to live in a country with a low rate of infection compared with many other parts of the world, we are still in the midst of a global pandemic and, as we’ve seen on a number of occasions in Australia, COVID-19 breakouts and border closures remain a genuine risk.

“We are always monitoring the public health situation and attempting to strike the appropriate biosecurity balance between keeping everyone safe on both sides of the hub and providing as much freedom as possible for those within it.

“We appreciate that this has been a challenging year for everyone, but we must insist on our biosecurity measures being respected and followed so as not to jeopardise public health and safety or the viability of the tournament.”

Brendan Julian, Brett Lee and Mark Waugh have called for the bubble to end.

CA’s Chief Medical Officer John Orchard said the physical distancing by the players had been practice during the warm up matches.

“We’re confident this will be successfully achieved again tonight at Manuka Oval,” Orchard said. “They must maintain a physical distance on and particularly off the field (indoors) with teammates, opposing players, staff and match officials. We have protocols in place for all matches for interaction between those inside and outside the hub.”

“Factors including the outdoor nature of the contest, the generally socially-distanced nature of cricket on-field and the fact Canberra is considered a low-risk city support the conclusion that both can play tonight without posing a meaningful risk.”