After a video of a Romanian cricketer bowling in the European Cricket League went viral, the European League hit back at Fox Sport, talking about Australian Cricket, for publicizing the video in a manner which was considered unfair by the league. Pavel Florin had become an internet sensation overnight due to his unusual bowling action.
Fox Cricket had tweeted the video of Pavel Florin bowling for the Cluj Cricket club with a caption that seemed sarcastic. “Ladies and gentlemen…. welcome to the #EuropeanCricketLeague,” the tweet read.
Ladies and gentlemen … welcome to the #EuropeanCricketLeague
🤷🤷🤷 pic.twitter.com/ctrhyJvs4b
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) July 30, 2019
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The tweet, naturally, wasn’t taken kindly by the European Cricket League, which is still in a very raw stage in world cricket.
The league took a jibe at Australian Cricket in a tweet.
The European League referred to the sandpaper incident, that struck Australia last year, to hit back at the Australian media house.
“Thanks chap for your interest. Our loyal followers might find some cricketers buying sand paper,” European Cricket League tweeted.
The then Australian captain and vice captain were found guilty of supporting ball tampering, where Cameron Bancroft used a sandpaper to scuff the cricket ball in a test match against South Africa.
Pavel Florin, a bodyguard by profession is known to have driven overnight to play in the European T10 Cricket League.
“Some may say my bowling is not beautiful or effective, but I don’t care, because I love cricket,” is what Florin had to say after the match.
Florin, who is known to have started playing cricket at the age of 32, is largely a batsman who bowled one over in that match.
The league was started trying to develop cricket in the European countries, and it was always wrong to expect the same quality of cricket from them as that of the countries playing from hundreds of years.
Many fans all over the world also felt that he should be acknowledged for his love for the game in a place where the popularity of cricket is so less.
There were many tweets in support of the 40 year old Pavel Florin.
Pretty ordinary by Fox. They didn’t mention the guy is bowling with a fractured bone in his leg- or he once drove 500kms overnight to play next day..Heard the interview with him, he just loves cricket. Best of luck 💪🏻❤️
— Adam (@blueheelerhead) July 30, 2019
I mean Australians really can't talk about bowling actions now can they @FoxCricket pic.twitter.com/45gqRMe2KG
— Harri Glazier (@HarriGlazier) July 30, 2019
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They guy started playing cricket at 32, is in the side as a batsman and is playing for Romania. The growth of international cricket already has enough of a massive handicap being run by the ICC without you guys joining in. Cut him some slack.
— 💧Riff Raff (@RichardAOB) July 30, 2019
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Why not support his love of the game and the fact that he enjoys it instead of denigrating him ?
— TheCricketGuy (@Tim32_cricket) July 30, 2019