“With today’s cricket, [especially] franchise cricket, where you know the Australians are playing with the Indian, English or West Indian players, you see that it [is] making international matches a lot friendlier. I think that is one of the key components in franchise cricket, getting players together, and you’re seeing a lot more friendships created.”

McGrath, considered one of the greatest bowlers of all time, nods in agreement, saying: “The thing I loved about playing IPL was that all of a sudden, you get to play alongside guys you’ve only ever played against, and you realize that we’re not that different. Whether you’re from the West Indies, Australia, India, Pakistan, England, South Africa, there’s a common love for the game and passion for the game. We might prepare a few things differently, but the synergies are there and the similarities are there, and you realize that we’re not that different at the end of the day.”