Former Northants Steelbacks batter Chris Lynn returned a positive drugs test after playing in this season’s T20 Blast Finals Day, the Cricket Regulator has announced.

Cocaine’s metabolite benzoylecgonine was found in Lynn’s urine sample and he was given a one-month suspension, which has now been served.

The 36-year-old top-scored with 39 runs in their semi-final win over Somerset, before making four as they beat Hampshire in the final at Edgbaston on 18 July.

Lynn admitted using cocaine in the week before Finals Day – during hours spanning 15 and 16 July.

However, he asserted the usage amounted to “an out-of-competition violation” and was “unrelated to sporting performance”, a view supported by an expert assigned by the Regulator.

The former Australia international served his suspension between 31 July and 30 August 2026.

He has since completed a substance of abuse treatment programme which reduced his potential suspension from three months to one month.

Lynn returned to play for Northants this year, having scored 880 T20 runs in two previous spells with the county in 2022 and 2023 and was also part of the Hampshire side beaten by Somerset in the 2025 Blast final.

Northamptonshire, who the Regulator confirmed would receive no sanction for the positive test, have been approached for comment.

The Cricket Regulator is an independent body, established in December 2023, responsible for monitoring compliance with the game’s regulations.



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