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The 'Lynn-sanity' prevailed in the semifinal of the T20 Blast on September 13 as former Australia batter Chris Lynn smashed an unbeaten 108 off just 51 balls for Hampshire against Northamptonshire. Lynn became the first batter to score a century on T20 Blast finals day (the day two semifinals and the final takes place). However, he was not entirely satisfied with his performance as he missed out narrowly on joining the elite list of batters like Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard to hit six consecutive sixes in an over.
In the 15th over of the run chase, Lynn targeted Australian leg-spinner Lloyd Pope, hitting him for five consecutive sixes. On the last ball, Pope bowled a googly which stayed low. Lynn wanted to sweep it but it went under his bat and hit the thigh pad outside off stump.
Lynn carried the run chase on his back. While he scored 108, the next best score for Hampshire was captain James Vince's 13-ball 12.
"It's easy to sit here and say it's a flat wicket now," Lynn said at the post-match presentation. "[It was a case of] one ball at a time, we knew it had a bit in it up front, they've got some quality seam bowlers. For us, it was about partnerships. That's the first domino down. Really happy, but still got one more job to do. Personally, it would top my day off if we can go again. I really like this shirt, I hope they'll have me back next year."
"Not bad, I probably wanted six sixes more. I wasn't worried about the lbw, it was about trying to join Yuvraj [Singh] and Polly [Kieron Pollard]," he added.
Chasing a revised total of 155 in 18 overs, Lynn remained unperturbed by the wickets falling on the other end. He reached his fifty from just 24 balls. The onslaught continued in the middle overs as well. But, it was Pope's last over that turned the tide completely in Hampshire's favour. The 35-year-old Australian hit 11 sixes and five fours in his T20 career's sixth century.
Hampshire lose final, Somerset win title
However, Lynn’s magic did not continue in the final against Somerset. He hit one six and a four in his 12-run knock before losing his wicket to Craig Overton in the third over. It was his opening partner Toby Albert who contributed with a 48-ball 85, mostly featuring his reverse-sweep's off fast bowlers. Captain Vince scored a half-century as Hampshire posted 194/6. In the run chase, opener Will Smeed scored 94 runs from 58 balls. In the end, cameos from Sean Dickson (22-ball 33) and captain Lewis Gregory (5-ball 18) took Somerset over the line with six wickets in hand and six balls to spare.
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