Pavel Florin, a cult cricket legend, has been nominated for the Big Bash League draft
Pavel Florin has been nominated for the BBL draft: Pavel Florin, the Romanian cricketer with a peculiar bowling motion who rose to notoriety and cult status, has entered the Big Bash League this year after nominating for the competition’s maiden overseas player draft.
Florin has since played for Surrey Hills Cricket Club in Victoria, earned VIP treatment in the President’s Box during an Ashes Test at Lord’s, and made his Romanian debut in a T20I despite just taking up the sport at the age of 31.
Now 43, the bowler has set his eyes on playing in one of the world’s largest Twenty20 tournaments, where he will compete against a slew of world cricket legends for a spot on the final draft list – and hence a spot on one of the eight clubs’ squads.
Florin’s candidacy was fairly unconventional, much like his bowling style – whereas the majority of professional candidates trust their agents to submit on their behalf, Florin went it alone and got in touch with BBL general manager Alistair Dobson to explain his case.
Florin tweeted, “Nothing is impossible!” after tweeting a screenshot of his confirmation.
Perhaps not impossible, but Florin is unlikely to be chosen as one of a small number of international players chosen by BBL teams for the next 12th season.
With about 200 nominations, the competition is fierce, with players ranging from up-and-coming county players to experienced T20 stars.
On Wednesday, the newest swath of international players to make the draft list was released, with Liam Livingstone leading the way with fellow English short-format specialists like Alex Hales, Tymal Mills, and James Vince.
The full list will be available by mid-to-late August, allowing clubs to finalize their picks and fine-tune their preparations before the season begins on December 13th.
It means Florin will soon find out if he can make his ambition a reality, but even if he does not make the BBL team, the flamboyant player-president of Romania’s Club Cricket Club may be handed an ambassadorial job during the Australian summer.
Still, Florin has his sights set on a BBL roster slot for the time being. “Maybe many people consider me as a weak player, but I am the best player in my opinion,” he tweeted on Wednesday. “Do you know why?” Because I like and enjoy what I do….cricket.”