A Romanian cricketer has become an overnight sensation thanks to his unorthodox bowling style.
Pavel Florin, 40, who plays for Romania’s Cluj Cricket Club, caused an internet stir after a video of his eccentric technique went viral.
England World Cup hero Jofra Archer and Australia legend Shane Warne were among those to offer their support.
Florin, Cluj’s team president, stepped up to bowl in the penultimate over against French club Dreux in the European Cricket League (ECL) on Tuesday.
The full-time bodyguard, who has been playing the game in his spare time for eight years, sent the ball looping towards the batsman with a front-on action and a crooked arm.
One commentator described the ball’s course as "well-flighted", but less generous critics were quick to mock the pace and accuracy of Florin’s deliveries.
“Ladies and gentlemen ... welcome to the #EuropeanCricketLeague,” tweeted Australia’s Fox Cricket.
“So you’re telling me I have a chance,” joked another.
The good-spirited player brushed off the ridicule, responding on Twitter: “Is there any chance to play in Australia,” followed by a smiley emoji.
Florin defended his technique following Cluj's 95-run loss to the French side, stressing that what it lacked in beauty, it made up for in “love”.
“Someone says my bowling is not beautiful or not effective," he said. "But I don’t care, because I love cricket.
“It’s not beautiful, I know, everybody says it, but I’m a slow bowler.
“Is there a problem with this? I think no.”
Asked how he thought the ECL tournament - dubbed “the Champions League of European cricket” on its website - was going so far, he responded: “Not very good now because we lost three matches.
“But we earn other things – good experience for us and for our country.”
Florin previously said in an ECL interview in May that his strength was “the capacity to never give up on a ball regardless of the score".
His love of the game drew admiration from former and current professional players, with England’s Archer offering his “respect” to the 40-year-old.
New Zealand bowling coach Dimitri Mascarenhas also hit back at criticism, tweeting: “This is the first born & bred Romanian playing cricket. We should be celebrating this amazing achievement.
“A lot of hard work by some brilliant people have made this happen. Let’s just watch and celebrate this truly awesome tournament.”
After the game, Australian cricket legend Warne offered his help for the fledgling tournament's next instalment.
"Cricket is a beautiful game. Well done and congrats to everyone who made this happen," he tweeted.
"I would love to check this tournament out next year and help out. If you need a helping hand then hit me up."
