Cricket 2022: Romanian cult hero Pavel Florin throws hat in BBL Draft ring

A Romanian spinner who went viral online due to his ‘ugly’ action has joined international cricket stars in nominating for the first BBL draft. WATCH

Aaron Finch and Babar Azam.

The Big Bash League draft has attracted a cult hero who might be about to get more than he bargained for.

Transylvanian nightclub bouncer Pavel Florin became a viral internet sensation in 2019 when vision of his unorthodox bowling action for a Romanian club team took the cricket world by storm.

But the 43-year-old isn’t finished with his mission to inspire people of all abilities to believe they can play the game, and directly contacted BBL boss Alistair Dobson to plead his case for a start in next month’s inaugural draft.

So proud is Florin of his “ugly” bowling style he once knocked back a coaching offer from Shane Warne, and while that’s unlikely to help his chances of getting picked up by a BBL club, it doesn’t mean a serious offer won’t be coming his way.

“I was pretty excited to see Pavel’s email land in my inbox,” Dobson told News Corp.

Romanian cricketer Pavel Florin became and internet sensation.

“Pavel said he was inspired by a love of the game and to show everyone that regardless of their abilities, that they can believe in their chance.

“You only have to see the vision of him playing cricket to see how much joy it brings him.

“We’d love to get him involved in the BBL somehow this summer if we can.”

It’s understood Cricket Australia may look at trying to sign Florin to an ambassadorial role, while Cricket NSW officials also responded favourably to the idea the Romanian international could serve as a great promotional tool for the competition.

Florin posted confirmation of his nomination for the draft on social media by declaring, “Nothing is impossible!!”

So @PavelFlorin13 and @MrMaximooooo had a quick battle in the innings break...

And this happened 🤯👏😅

Take a bow, Pavel! #EuropeanCricket#PavelFlorinpic.twitter.com/H3O3QN3vfj

— European Cricket (@EuropeanCricket) April 27, 2022

Meanwhile, a host of English stars have nominated for the BBL draft, but intrigue surrounds whether the Sydney Sixers and Thunder will rush to retain their UK chargers.

The Thunder have already lost one star opener Usman Khawaja to the Brisbane Heat, but now face a difficult decision on whether to keep Alex Hales, given the England dasher will likely be available for only the half the tournament.

Hales is a world class performer and one of the most successful imports the BBL has had, but the Thunder may feel they need an overseas top-order star who can commit for the entire season.

That said, losing both star openers at once would be a massive change.

Nothing is impossible!!! #loveyourjorneypic.twitter.com/llzFnHjQcE

— Pavel Florin (@PavelFlorin13) April 20, 2020

And this is where the claims of two-time Sydney Sixers premiership winner James Vince become interesting.

Vince doesn’t necessarily scream box office T20 star, but the Englishman has a very good record for the Sixers in the BBL and the fact he is more likely to play the majority of the tournament could see him get picked up as a Platinum level player in the draft.

If the Sixers try and sneak him as a gold player, it could present an opportunity for a rival team to try and snake Vince from the Sixers, or at least force the Sydney club to take him at the platinum level.

Given the Sixers have the likes of Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques on their books, there is the possibility they may feel their platinum purchase in the August 28 draft would be better served in a department other than top-order batting.

Pressure mounting on BBL to stay relevant

The Big Bash is under mounting pressure to privatise, after claims the BCCI is on the verge of allowing Indian players to star in overseas leagues.

Until now, the BCCI has banned all Indian players from competing in foreign T20 competitions out of fear that opening the gates would dilute the exclusive power of the Indian Premier League.

However, Inside Sport India has reported BCCI officials are under intense pressure to make the landmark change from IPL franchise bosses who are now buying T20 teams all over the world.

Revelations this week that IPL franchises had bought all six franchises in the new South African T20 league has signalled a warning that cricket is on the verge of a revolution.

Watch The Hundred. Every Match Live & Exclusive to Fox Sports on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

There are influential figures in Australian cricket who fear the BBL is in danger of missing the boat if it doesn’t welcome private equity or some sort of privatisation into the competition, which is already under siege from the new rival pop up leagues in South Africa and the UAE.

Many are seeing the writing on the wall that if the IPL clubs own franchises in South Africa, UAE and the Caribbean — and Indian nationals are suddenly allowed to play — then it may become increasingly difficult for the Big Bash to compete on a global scale.

Particularly if cricket gets to a point where IPL franchises start contracting star players year-long to play for their teams in whatever countries they have a presence.

However, there are also senior figures in Australian cricket who remain firmly against privatisation of any kind, adamant it could destroy the grassroots fabric which is so fundamental to sport in Australia and its connection to the public.

Virat Kohli could soon be able to play in other overseas T20 series outside India.

Reports suggest that the BCCI is highly “likely” to bow to IPL franchise pressure and allow Indian players to feature in overseas leagues, however this would not mean the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah would suddenly become free agents.

If the BCCI allow Indians to play outside the IPL, it would only be non international players and retired greats.

But even then, an influx of Indian players to overseas leagues would result in TV and digital rights and commercial opportunities to explode, such is the size of the Indian market.

Perhaps an early sign that the BCCI is softening its fierce protection of the IPL as an exclusive haven for Indian talent is the fact two IPL fast bowlers have been given permission to come out and play in a new T20 Max series in Brisbane, sanctioned by Queensland Cricket.

Usman Khawaja during his stint with the Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016.

Australian star Usman Khawaja is one leading figure putting pressure on Cricket Australia to embrace privatisation to save the BBL — but state chief executives are split.

“I still think there’s a fork in the road for the Big Bash,” said Khawaja on Friday.

“I think The Big Bash needs to look at privatising because the money needs to come from somewhere and players won’t come unless you’re paying the right money.

“There are other tournaments that are starting up that are privatised, if you don’t keep up with that … I’m afraid (the Big Bash) will fall behind.”

Australian cricket appears certain to have a major discussion over privatisation before the next pay deal with players is signed next year.

The Australian Cricketers Association is neutral on privatisation but President Shane Watson said in a memo to players on Friday that the game needs to open its mind to new revenue streams.

However, it must be said Watson was more specifically referencing joint venture partnerships with CA than anything to do with privatisation.

Superstar Pakistani trio locked in for BBL draft

Pakistani superstars Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are set to enter the Big Bash League draft and give the competition an edge not even the Indian Premier League can boast.

Cricket Australia announced on Thursday that the inaugural draft will take place as a prime time television event on Fox Cricket on August 28 – taking advantage of AFL bye week – with a lottery confirming the Melbourne Renegades will get first pick and Ricky Ponting’s Hobart Hurricanes forced to wait until last to make their first selection.

Locking in a draft order will now allow the fun and games to begin, with teams motivated to make selections which not only boost their own rosters but trip up the plans of rivals in the process.

Four teams have an opportunity to bid on superstar Rashid Khan before Adelaide get the chance to match at No. 5, but the expected addition of some of the world’s best players from Pakistan is set to shake up the entire draft.

In Azam, Rizwan – the top two ranked players in Twenty20 international cricket – as well as Afridi, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan, Pakistani possesses arguably the game’s best Twenty20 talent, only they’re blocked from playing in the IPL by the Indian Government because of their nationality.

Here's your rundown of the full #BBL12Draft order!

Happy with your team's results? 🎭 pic.twitter.com/kOkfF5p8TF

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) July 21, 2022

With Faf du Plessis and West Indian great Kieron Pollard already signed up, Cricket Australia are on track to secure an impressive list of platinum talent for the draft, although the cunning strategies of teams to try and snake their opposition will come into their own more for players who have nominated across multiple categories of Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Kath Loughnan will host Fox Cricket’s coverage immediately following an August 28 ODI between Australia and Zimbabwe, with Aussie stars Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch set to play a role in the on-night analysis.

Some of world cricket’s top T20 stars are in line to feature in the BBL.

Ricky Ponting will be in the war room in Melbourne with the Hurricanes brains trust, trying to work out how he can make the most of being ranked behind the two Melbourne franchises, Brisbane, the Sydney Sixers, Perth and Sydney Thunder in the selection pecking order.

Round three of the four round draft will have the order reversed.

Pressure on the Big Bash has intensified in recent days with confirmation all six franchises for the new South African T20 league to run against the BBL in January have been bought by Indian Premier League owners.

A separate privately owned United Arab Emirates league has been officially sanctioned by the International Cricket Council and will also compete against the BBL, although both rival competitions aren’t expected to start until January 13 at the earliest – meaning the Big Bash does get a month of free air where international stars will come on short-term contracts.

Fox Cricket boss Matt Weiss said the network was heavily invested in the BBL draft becoming a big event.

“It gives the competition a bit of a shot in the arm that it needed,” said Weiss.

“It’s going to give the opportunity for a number of high profile players to be nominated for the draft, which can only help the comp and the publicity leading into it.

“As the only place to see every men’s T20 World Cup and BBL match, adding the inaugural draft for our subscribers is a natural fit for Fox Cricket.”

Originally published as Cricket 2022: Romanian cult hero Pavel Florin throws hat in BBL Draft ring