Chris Lynn has stepped down as captain of Brisbane Heat after three years at the helm.

The Heat reached the Challenger final last season before being defeated by Perth Scorchers - the first time they had reached the finals since 2016-17 - having finished fifth and seventh in the previous two seasons.

Lynn also led the club during the 2015-16 season before handing over to Brendon McCullum.

Queensland Cricket said it will decide on Lynn's successor closer to the season but Jimmy Peirson, who deputised when Lynn was injured last season, will be the frontrunner

Lynn had spent time considering his position since the season ended and informed Queensland Cricket he was standing down after returning from the postponed IPL.

"It has been a huge honour to skipper the Heat for the last three years and I am very grateful for all the backing and support from the players, coaching and backroom staff and the loyal Heat fans and sponsors,'' he said.

"I am very proud to have led the boys and I have really enjoyed my time as captain. I have thought long and hard about my decision, and I think it is the right time for someone else to take over the reins and keep building with this talented group of players."

"The group are in a really good space after last season's BBL, and I think this is the best way forward for the club and for me as a player and I am confident the Heat can build on last year's successful campaign".

Lynn is the leading run-scorer in BBL history with 2790 at 37.20 and a strike-rate of 151.05. He has also struck 172 sixes which puts him well ahead of the pack.

He was comfortably the Heat's leading run-scorer last season with 458 at 34.23 despite missing four matches through injury.

"Something like this is never a simple or comfortable process, and Chris certainly has our full support for the decision he has reached,'' Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson said. "We certainly respect his choice, and the reasoning behind it. He hasn't rushed things and has consulted with key people in his life to make this call.

"Having spoken at length with him, I am very confident that he and Heat will both benefit from his decision and we certainly look forward to him bringing his experience and undoubted batting prowess to bear on the BBL 11 season and beyond."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.