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In a rare gap in their busy schedules Hardys wine brought together two legendary former international cricketers to chat at Lord’s about the most modern forms of the game.

Sir Ian Botham: “Great to see you Baz, usually Kiwis only want to talk about rugby over a glass of wine, but cricket knocked rugby off the top for a bit during the last World Cup didn’t it?

Brendon McCullum: “It definitely did for a period of time. We knew if we got going early, then the level of expectation would go through the roof, especially with the style of cricket we wanted to play. We really got involved with the public and the communities we played in and I think that endeared us with them. For six weeks cricket was the No.1 sport and we loved every minute of it.

IB: “I spent a lot of time in New Zealand during that World Cup and it is one of my favourite countries on earth, I adore the people and the landscape, and the way you played in getting to the final was inspiring. I said if England want to learn how to play the modern game watch these guys, and they did!

BM: “I’m not sure we’ll see it immediately, but in six or seven years time we’ll start to see people who fell in love with cricket at that time and we’ll see the impact that had on and off the field.

IB: “I think the last World Cup really put 50-over cricket back on the map. Test cricket is king in my eyes, and T20 is the icing on the cake, not the main event.

BM: “I’d agree with that, and I’d go so far as to say perhaps T20 cricket should only be played at World Cups internationally and then the rest in club competitions around the world.

Test cricket as the pinnacle is something we try to instil in New Zealand. The T20 leagues are a result of the hard work you’ve put into international cricket and I think some people lose sight of that sometimes.

(Image: Getty)

IB: “I think England have been left behind a little bit with their domestic T20 competition. I’d like to see nine teams playing at the nine Test match grounds, getting the best players in for a four-week tournament that has big crowds at every game.

BM: “It has been interesting coming over because it has confirmed to me that you can’t just be a ‘gun-for-hire.’ You can’t make a proper impact in two weeks, you need to be with the team for a longer period of time, immerse yourself in the competition totally and the culture of the club.

IB: “At the moment players and clubs are seeing each other as instant quick fixes for cash or success and it doesn’t work like that.

(Image: AFP/Getty)

BM: “If you bring guys in for a couple of weeks to boost the profile, I don’t think it helps anyone.

I’m working with Middlesex to see how we can make it work for longer, for three or four years to immerse myself with them, so that becomes your club.

IB: “You want to have the best players playing and helping to raise the standard in England. And for the young English players if you’re good enough you’ll get a game.

BM: “It has been huge for India with the IPL because their young players have been playing with the big stars of the global game day in day out. I think English cricket could benefit from that as well. You’d have enjoyed playing T20 with some of your old mates from around the world wouldn’t you Beef?

(Image: AFP)

IB: “I think I’d have gone alright. I’d have enjoyed it, but I would have wanted to be playing in front of big crowds and putting on a show at the highest level. For guys like Baz and me, the middle is our stage and we are entertainers and we want to perform for the crowd.

BM: “I couldn’t agree more. Cheers!”

*Sir Ian Botham and Brendan McCullum were speaking on behalf of Hardys Wines. For England Cricket ticket competitions this summer, follow @HardysWineUK.