Chris Lynn sidelined for a month after cocaine suspension

Positive Drug Test: Australian T20 batter Chris Lynn tested positive for benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine) following a routine anti-doping test on July 18, 2026, after Northamptonshire's T20 Vitality Blast Finals Day victory.

Out-of-Competition Use: England's Cricket Regulator accepted that Lynn consumed the substance out of competition (in the early hours of July 15 and 16) and that it had no bearing on his athletic performance.

On September 23, Cricket Regulator gave Lynn a formal notice that he was being charged. The notice also stated that they accepted Lynn's explanations about the violation occurring out-of-competition. Lynn was first charged under two articles of ECB's anti-doping rules, but one of them was later dropped as the cocaine level in his urine sample was found to be below the minimum level requred for a charge under the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) rules. Cricket Regulator also wanted to suspend Lynn for three months, which was then reduced to one as he provided confirmation that he completed a 'substance of abuse treatment programme. The suspension was deemed to have been completed on August 30 - a month since the start of his provisional suspension.

Suspension & Rehabilitation: Lynn admitted to the charge and had his initial three-month ban reduced to one month after successfully completing a substance abuse treatment program. Status: The suspension was served retrospectively from July 31 to August 30, 2026, meaning he has already completed the ban and is clear to continue playing, with upcoming stints including the Big Bash League.