Chris Lynn served one-month ban after positive test following T20 Blast Finals Day

Chris Lynn returned a positive drugs test after playing in this season's T20 Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston on 18 July, the Cricket Regulator has announced. He was given a one-month suspension, which has now been served.

Cocaine's metabolite benzoylecgonine was detected in Lynn's urine sample and he admitted using cocaine in the week before Finals Day — during the evening of 15 July and the early hours of 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 regulator made the announcement following its testing and review process.

The 36-year-old top-scored with 39 in Northamptonshire's semi-final victory over Somerset and then scored four in the final as Northants beat Hampshire. He was part of the Northants team that won this year's T20 Blast. He had also been a member of the Hampshire side beaten by Somerset in the 2025 Blast final.

Lynn, a former Australia international, was handed a one-month suspension by the regulator. The regulator confirmed that the suspension has been imposed as a result of the positive test. The decision follows the regulator's procedures for anti-doping and disciplinary matters.

He served his suspension between 31 July and 30 August 2026. He has completed a substance of abuse treatment programme which reduced his potential suspension from three months to one month. Prior to this season he had scored 880 T20 runs in two spells with Northamptonshire in 2022 and 2023.

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.

Lynn has since returned to play for Northants this year. The regulator's announcement completes its formal action on the matter.