Billy Slater's remarkable NRL comeback has inspired Brisbane Heat star Chris Lynn to keep his baggy green dream alive.
Lynn hopes to return from shoulder surgery in the 2017-18 Big Bash League after re-signing with the Heat for five years to become the Twenty20 competition's first $1 million man.
Lynn will stay in Brisbane until at least the 2021-22 season, while Heat coach Dan Vettori and assistant coach Shane Bond have penned two-year contract extensions.
Master blaster Lynn has his sights firmly set on the white ball, aiming to also feature in Australia's post-Ashes one-day and T20 internationals this summer.
But Lynn has not shelved his red ball plans thanks to inspiration from an unlikely hero - Melbourne, Queensland and Test fullback Slater.
The NRL star made a stunning comeback from a similar shoulder complaint to Lynn this season after almost two years on the sidelines, reclaiming his Maroons and Test No.1 jerseys and featuring in Melbourne's 2017 premiership.
Lynn admitted recovering from his third serious shoulder injury in two years had been a "nightmare".
However, witnessing Slater's inspirational return has provided Lynn hope he could get back to his best - in all formats.
Lynn's red-ball days appeared numbered after he knocked back a Queensland Bulls first-class contract to concentrate on the BBL this season.
But Lynn did not rule anything out after watching Slater prove all his detractors wrong.
"It is inspiring to see him do that," Lynn said.
"He would have gone through some tough times so it was great to see him bounce back and show he was still a world-class player.
"He is on a different level to me but he is someone I look up to.
"Watching him makes me want to bounce out of bed and be a better player and person."
Lynn admitted his shoulder would never be 100 per cent after July's surgery.
But he would be "over the moon" at 90 per cent fitness after surprisingly conceding he had played the BBL in recent years at just "50 to 60 per cent".
It is a scary thought considering Lynn has won the last two BBL player-of-the-tournament awards, inspiring crowds with his big hitting including a 124m six off Shaun Tait that landed in the Gabba practice nets last season.
"I am pretty confident the shoulder is good enough to play cricket - I am not tackling frontrowers or anything," Lynn said.
Unlike Slater.
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