Dunk replaces injured Lynn for Sri Lanka series

Chris Lynn will not be part of Australia's squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka starting on February 17. Lynn aggravated his neck injury during training last week, Cricket Australia said, and will be replaced by left-hand batsman Ben Dunk, who finished as the highest-run scorer in the recently concluded Big Bash League.

Team physiotherapist Kevin Sims said that Lynn returned to training recently and will be seeing a specialist, following which a timeline for his return could be established.

"Chris resumed some light training as part of his rehabilitation but was still unable to function at the level he needs to play international cricket due to his existing neck injury," Sims said. "He will be seeing a specialist later this week and from there we will have a better understanding of the ongoing management, along with the return to play time frames."

Twenty-nine-year-old Dunk made his Australia debut in the three-match T20I series against South Africa in November 2014 but was subsequently dropped after scores of 2, 23 and 14. Interim national selector Trevor Hohns said Dunk's selection comes on the back of his consistent performances in the various T20 leagues around the world.

"Ben was the highest run-scorer for the Big Bash in the season just gone, amassing a total of 364 runs in just 222 balls faced," Hohns said. "He has had consistent performances in the BBL, IPL and CPL and also brings international experience to the squad."

The three-match series begins in Melbourne before the teams move to Geelong before concluding in Adelaide on February 22.