`Excitement machine` Lynn unlikely to open in Champions Trophy: Lehman

Melbourne [Australia], May 18 (ANI): Australian head coach Darren Lehmann has hinted that his side would most probably go with the experienced opening pair of David Warner and Aaron Finch over `excitement machine` Chris Lynn as the Steve Smith-led side look to clinch an unprecedented third Champions Trophy, beginning June 1 in England and Wales. Lynn took the Big Bash League (BBL) by storm in December to January and has continued with his destructive form in the ongoing tenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), scoring 291 runs at an average of 58.20 and a strike-rate of 187.74 for Kolkata Knight Riders. The 27-year-old made his One-Day International (ODI) debut in January 2017, but persistent injuries have prevented him from being a regular member in the squad. Despite his impressive form, Lehmann indicated that there is no guarantee that Lynn would be picked in the starting XI, with Finch seemingly back in favour after being dumped from the side last summer. "So you don't want Warner to open? (Or) you don't want Finch to open? We'll sum up what we think the best XI is and then work out a batting order from there. The advantage is with England we know the wickets might do a little bit early, so we'll have to work out what our best line-up is (with that in mind),"cricket.com.au quoted Lehmann as saying. The Australian coach said that Lynn first needs to get selected in the Playing XI and then they would take the call whether he would open the batting for the side or not. "First he's got to get selected in the XI and then the captain will tell him where he's going to bat. We've had discussions - I mean he's an excitement machine, so we hope he pulls up well with his injuries and plays some cricket for us," Lehmann added. Australia are slated to play warm-up matches against Sri Lanka (May 26) and Pakistan (May 29) before beginning their Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand on June 2 in Edgbaston. (ANI)