The Indian Premier League has changed men's cricket profoundly, now the women's Big Bash League has started to have a similar effect.
Many cricketers from around the world have forged closer bonds because of the IPL, also gaining rare insights into the opposition they face in international fixtures.
The inaugural season of the WBBL featured a stack of international talent, including South Africa captain Mignon du Preez.
Australia legspinner Kristen Beams can't wait to face Melbourne Stars teammate du Preez on Friday, when the Southern Stars' World Twenty20 campaign starts in Nagpur.
"Absolutely. She loves to play against the spinners too, so I'm really looking forward to that contest," Beams said.
"She was great for the Melbourne Stars and she's a really great person.
"But it'll be good to go head to head and we'll both probably be gunning for each other when we get there."
South Africa were thumped by seven wickets in a World T20 warm-up match on Monday.
The Southern Stars watched the game with great interest after recording their 43-run win over West Indies, the side's only tune-up in India before the tournament starts.
"It was interesting, we haven't seen a lot of the South Africans and as a bowler it was really good to see how their batters are going," Beams said.
"England are always going to be strong contenders but it's such a wide open competition.
"I'm expecting a really tough contest."
Beams recorded figures of 3-9 against West Indies, giving the tweaker a shot of confidence before Australia start their bid for a fourth straight World T20 title.
"It's nice to be here in India, there's little bit in the wickets," she said.
"As a legspinner you have to be trying to take wickets and break the game open.
"There's a lot of talk about spinners and the role they'll play in India on the turning wickets.
"It'll be interesting to see how we go. I think the wickets will also be nice and hard and flat for batting."
