History beckons Lynn at Gabba

History beckons Chris Lynn after he struck an unbeaten 250 to launch Queensland’s stunning fightback against Sheffield Shield leaders Victoria at the Gabba.

At one stage reeling at 3-7, the Bulls were 8-502 at stumps on day two in reply to the Bushrangers’ 260, thanks to the heroics of Lynn and stand-in skipper Chris Hartley, who got 123.

The pair combined for a Queensland record fifth wicket stand of 273 on Sunday, but the day belonged to Lynn.

Lynn’s maiden double ton has equalled the sixth highest first class score by a Queenslander.

And he has Bulls record holder Martin Love’s unbeaten 300 – set against Victoria in 2003-04 – firmly in his sights.

Lynn showed no mercy to an international quality attack boasting returning Test quick James Pattinson (3-88), Peter Siddle (1-66), John Hastings (1-69) and leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed (2-143).

By the time he strode off at stumps, Lynn had thrashed 21 fours and a remarkable 10 sixes.

He reached three figures by lofting Ahmed into the stands and later thrashed the leggie for back-to-back sixes.

Lynn admitted he had no idea about his knock’s impact on the Bulls’ history books.

“I was not aware of that,” he said.

“Look, 300 would be unbelievable but you have to start again each morning and they will push hard to get wickets.

“And records are records – I am just trying to win this game of cricket.

“I am pretty drained but you recover pretty well with runs under your belt.”

Lynn – an Australian Twenty20 international – easily eclipsed his previous highest score of 172 with his fifth first class ton.

Lynn and Hartley survived a torrid first hour before opening the shoulders on an increasingly flat Gabba deck.

“This morning was one of the toughest of periods I have faced,” Lynn said.

“Patto and Siddle bowl at a decent rate of knots.

“We had to really fight hard that first hour.”

Hartley – standing in for injured skipper James Hopes (rib) – provided the perfect foil for the aggressive Lynn, stroking 14 fours as the pair put together a match changing 434-ball stand lasting almost five hours.

It was a test of character for the Bulls in their first match since Queensland parted ways with coach Stuart Law amid reports the former Test batsman had lost the confidence of the dressing room.

Queensland resumed at 4-66 on Sunday morning.

The dead last Bulls are hoping for an outright win over ladder leaders Victoria in a bid to keep their Shield final hopes alive.

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