Chris Lynn has endorsed the coaching credentials of retiring Brendon McCullum and brushed aside his ODI snub as he prepares for a must-win BBL clash for the Brisbane Heat.
The Heat must win Friday's meeting with the Melbourne Stars at the Gabba and then rely on them and the Sydney Thunder to lose their final regular season games if they are to make the finals.
Their hot and cold 5-7 season has led to pressure on coach Daniel Vettori, with McCullum's retirement announcement only adding to that.
Lynn stepped in to bat for Vettori - a former New Zealand teammate of McCullum's - saying he had shown "great composure" in what's been a testing season.
But he left the door ajar for his good mate, saying McCullum's history in Twenty20 cricket meant he could transition straight into the new caper.
"He's second all-time leading run-scorer in Twenty20 cricket (with 9922 runs - behind Chris Gayle's 12298) - you don't want to leave that guy out of your set-up," Lynn said.
"I think he could definitely be a head coach, but that's for the powers above to decide.
"You can build a brand around his style of play and leadership ... you look at the New Zealand cricket team, they really benefited from that."
More concerned by the Heat's current BBL plight, Lynn was unfazed by his omission from the Australian limited overs side to tour India ahead of the World Cup.
"Possibly yeah, but I don't read into it too much," he said of his World Cup prospects dimming.
"I've had a shit run of injuries over the last couple of years, so just to be out in the paddock with the guys is pretty special in my eyes.
"The other guys are scoring runs - the last series against India the batting order did really well - there's a good mix of class and power in that line-up.
"And it's the Australian cricket team, no spot's a given so it motivates me to work harder and score more runs."
