Cult cricket hero Pavel Florin joins Big Bash League heavyweights in draft nomination

Pavel Florin, the Romanian cricketer with a distinctive bowling action that saw him rise to prominence and earn cult status, has thrown his hat into the ring for this year’s Big Bash League after nominating for the competition’s inaugural overseas player draft.

The Transylvanian, who is a professional bodyguard by day, made headlines in 2019 when his love of the game prompted the likes of Shane Warne and Joffra Archer to send messages of support, after his unconventional style was initially mocked on social media.

Since then, Florin has enjoyed a stint in Australia playing for Surrey Hills Cricket Club in Victoria, received VIP treatment in the President’s Box at an Ashes Test at Lord’s, and debuted for Romania in a T20I, despite only taking up the sport at the age of 31.

Now 43, the bowler has set his sights on playing in one of the biggest Twenty20 leagues in the world and will go up against a host of world cricket stars for a place on the final draft list – and with it a chance to make one of the eight teams’ rosters.

Much like his bowling action, Florin’s application was somewhat unorthodox – while the majority of professional nominees leave their agents to apply on their behalf, Florin went it by himself and got in touch personally with BBL general manager Alistair Dobson to state his case.

Posting a screenshot of confirmation of his self-nomination, and with a a dose of his trademark enthusiasm, Florin tweeted, “Nothing is impossible!”.

Impossible, perhaps not, but it is unlikely Florin will be picked up as one of a select number of overseas players chosen by BBL teams for the tournament’s upcoming 12th season.

Competition is stiff, with around 200 nominations made, comprising up-and-coming county players all the