Brisbane Heat release BBL's all-time top scorer, Chris Lynn, after 11 seasons

A new contract has not been offered to the competition's all-time leading run scorer Chris Lynn, who is the most capped player for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League's history.

After 11 years of service for the Brisbane Heat, Chris Lynn is now looking for a new BBL team. After another disappointing season in which the Heat finished seventh, Terry Svenson, Queensland Cricket and Brisbane Heat CEO, confirmed on Wednesday that Lynn would not be offered a new contract for the upcoming season.

The 32-year old right-hander is the only player in BBL history to score more than 3000 runs. Lynn has played over 100 matches for the franchise and led them in 50 encounters. Jimmy Peirson took over as captain last summer under new coach Wade Seccombe. Last season, Chris could only manage 215 runs in 12 games which might be one of the major reasons for the franchise and the player parting ways.

"It's not a decision that has come easily to the Heat by any means," Svenson expressed. "Chris Lynn and his feats have made an indelible impression on the club, and his efforts over more than a decade can rightly be said to have had an enormously positive effect on cricket. We should gratefully acknowledge the influence he has had on a generation of kids who have grown up thrilled by his batting exploits."

"His appearance in a teal jumper each year would no doubt be linked by many households to the onset of their holidays, with the BBL being such an integral part of summer holidays."

"The Heat wish him nothing but the best for the future as he transitions into another phase of his career and thank him wholeheartedly for his commitment to the game in Queensland," Svenson added.

The retention and recruitment committee for Queensland and Brisbane Heat, including Svenson, Seccombe, Kirsten Pike, board member Ian Healy, selector Chris Hartley, and high-performance general manager Bennett King, made the decision. According to Healy, who chairs the committee, the decision marks the start of the next phase at Heat.

"Chris Lynn will be missed by thousands, however, the decision we have made as a club is about building on the legacy he leaves as a foundation player, captain and ambassador for the Heat," Healy stated. "He holds a very special place in our history."

Usman Khawaja opted to leave Sydney Thunder for family reasons, and he is a big name available in the market. The Heat are expected to sign the Australian Test opener. Khawaja is the captain of Queensland and lives in Brisbane, so joining the Heat seems like a natural fit for him to spend more time at home during the BBL's Christmas and New Year break.