Muralidaran joins Renegades in T20

Muttiah Muralidaran is set to square off against his old spin bowling rival Shane Warne in the Australian Twenty20 cricket competition, signing with Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming season.

Renegades chairman James Brayshaw confirmed on Thursday night that Muralidaran, Test cricket’s greatest ever wicket-taker, would join the Big Bash League franchise.

And it is likely to pit the Sri Lankan against his old nemesis Warne, Australia’s greatest ever spin bowler and the man whose Test wicket world record was broken by Muralidaran.

Warne plays for the Renegades’ crosstown rivals Melbourne Stars, and is expected to suit up again for the team in their second season.

Muralidaran retired from international cricket after last year’s World Cup with a world record 800 Test wickets and 534 one-day international scalps, and has travelled the Twenty20 circuit since.

“I wanted to play one season in Australia and the opportunity from the Melbourne Renegades was there so I took it with both hands,” Muralidaran said.

“Last year I watched the BBL from New Zealand and its a good standard of players and a competitive tournament.”

The 40-year-old is currently playing T20 cricket with Gloucestershire in England.

He has recently played T20 in India, Bangladesh, and took part in New Zealand’s domestic competition last season.

His signing comes after several setbacks for the Renegades, including the defection of star batsman Brad Hodge and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell to the Stars on Wednesday.

The Renegades were also knocked back by former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, before securing the prized signature of Muralidaran.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!