Australian batter Chris Lynn is all set to join the Hampshire Hawks for the final six games of the Vitality Blast group stage. He joins the team after the international call-ups of South African cricketers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis for a two-Test series against Zimbabwe starting on June 28. “It’s great to return to Hampshire, this time as a pro; I had a brilliant time playing club cricket in the county a while ago now. The Hawks are a hugely successful side, and hopefully I can play a big part in the second half of the Blast to take the team to Finals Day,” Lynn mentioned in a statement released by the team. Hampshire will resume their Vitality Blast campaign on July 5 against the Sussex Sharks at the 1st Central County Ground, Hove. Lynn will then take part in the Utilita Bowl the following day as the Hawks host Somerset in a doubleheader. “We are delighted to have Chris with us for the back half of the Blast. We’ve got some important games ahead of us and his experience and explosive batting give us a big boost,” said Hampshire’s Director of Cricket, Giles White. An explosive batter known for hitting big sixes, Lynn played for the Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the Blast from 2022-23, where he scored 880 runs, averaging 44 with a strike rate just under 150. Lynn has played 292 T20s, amassing over 8,000 runs in the format, including five hundreds, three of which came in the Blast and 54 half-centuries. Lynn gained prominence in Australia’s Big Bash League, playing for the Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers. He established a formidable opening stand with current England Men’s Head Coach Brendon McCullum from 2016-19, earning the duo the nickname ‘Bash Bros’. In his most recent three seasons with the Adelaide Strikers, Lynn has scored 950 runs at a strike rate of 153, with seven half-centuries. (With IANS Inputs)