Steve Waugh has dabbled in business ventures in the two decades since calling time on his international career, but owning a franchise in the European T20 Premier League is a “challenge” the former Australia captain has embraced, with a larger mission of expanding cricket across the continent.

The inaugural ETPL marks a significant step for the game in a region long considered underdeveloped in cricketing terms. “To me, Europe is the last frontier of cricket, and that’s why I’m involved.