Australia's top-order batsman Chris Lynn has ended his leadership role with the Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Brisbane Heat. Lynn's exit was expected after head coach Darren Lehmann hinted at a possible change at the helm at the end of the last BBL tournament. 

Lynn is the highest run-getter in the BBL history and he led the team to a third-place finish in the previous season despite ending as the team's top run-scorer (458). 

He also missed five important games of the competition because of a hamstring injury, however, the franchise gained its momentum under the captaincy of the wicket-keeper batsman Jimmy Pearson. He’s now also expected to become the full-time skipper of Brisbane Heat.

Lynn has captained the team in 48 matches across two different stints as captain. He took over the reins of the Brisbane-based team in the fifth edition of BBL before Brendon McCullum assumed the role for two seasons. He also took up the captaincy duties once more in the 2018-19 season.

"It has been a huge honour to skipper the Heat for the last three years and I am very grateful for all the backing and support from the players, coaching and backroom staff and the loyal Heat fans and sponsors. I am very proud to have led the boys and I have really enjoyed my time as captain. I have thought long and hard about my decision, and I think it is the right time for someone else to take over the reins and keep building with this talented group of players,” Lynn said in a statement.

CEO of Queensland Cricket Terry Svenson said that a succession plan for captaincy will take place in due course and he respects the decision taken by Lynn.

"Something like this is never a simple or comfortable process, and Chris certainly has our full support for the decision he has reached. We certainly respect his choice, and the reasoning behind it. He hasn't rushed things and has consulted with key people in his life to make this call. Having spoken at length with him, I am very confident that he and Heat will both benefit from his decision and we certainly look forward to him bringing his experience and undoubted batting prowess to bear on the BBL 11 season and beyond,” Svenson said.