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“The Lynn Law”: BBL veteran a big fan of designated batter rule
SEN • January 21st, 2026 11:13 am
Adelaide Strikers veteran Chris Lynn is a big fan of the Big Bash's incoming designated batter rule.
In BBL|16, teams will be able to nominate a player who can bat but is not permitted to field and bowl.
If a designated batter is named, teams must name a designated fielder who can’t bat or bowl but can field or be the wicketkeeper.
Ever since the rule was announced, many viewed it as a tool to keep the competition’s older players around longer, and the 35-year-old Lynn certainly sees himself taking advantage of it.
He also thinks it could help encourage Aussie players come back to the Big Bash after the Test summer, with players like Travis Head potentially more open to playing if they only need to bat.
“Well, I'm waiting for a little paycheck, or at least name it the ‘Lynn Law’, I need to get something out of it,” Lynn joked on SEN Sportsday.
“But, yeah, there's no secret, I try to get off the field when I can.
“It’s going to have an impact. We saw the ‘Bison’ Mitch Marsh off the field and Finn Allen after they got some runs the other day.
“Every team does it, I suppose I’m just better at it than they are.
“We might get Travis Head in his Strikers kit once again.”
As well as helping keep power hitters around longer, Lynn thinks the rule could help introduce some younger players to the Big Bash initially as fielders before they make the leap to the playing XI.
“It might unleash a little superstar on the field,” Lynn said.
“As a young kid coming through, I was more nervous actually fielding than batting.
“Everyone gets a duck and whatnot. You just walk off and hide under your helmet.
“But as a fielder, if you drop one on the boundary, you can cop it from the crowd.
“So, if we can unearth another superstar on the field or just get his name on the team sheet to give him that confidence, then we're doing our job and growing the game.”
The rule will come in from the opening match of the next BBL season.
