Star Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan views rival batsmen, not fellow spin-bowling legend Shane Warne, as his competition in the Big Bash League (BBL).

There is massive anticipation about Muralitharan playing for the Melbourne Renegades this summer and Warne being a star attraction for cross-town rivals the Melbourne Stars.

The second BBL will start on December 7 when the Renegades host the Stars at Etihad Stadium.

Muralitharan holds the record for the most Test wickets with 800 and Warne is next on 708.

They are in their 40s and only play in domestic Twenty20 tournaments, but their storied careers mean they are guaranteed to draw the fans.

“It’s not a competition – I think he’s a great bowler and I like to see him bowl,” Muralitharan said.

“We don’t have a competition between us, but the thing is we will compete with the batsmen.

“That’s the main thing … we’re in the side to take wickets.”

Muralitharan added that their ages were irrelevant, as long as they can keep playing well.

“Age doesn’t matter as long as you are performing – that’s my theory,” he said.

“For these competitions … you need a lot of good players.

“Then the public will come and watch, because (they) don’t only want to see domestic players.

“They want to see the international stars as well.

“For the competition also, it’s healthy, because you can see players … who have retired from Test and one-day (matches).”

Muralitharan is looking forward to more strong support from the boisterous Sri Lankan community in Melbourne.

It is far removed from the chucking controversies that dogged his early tours to Australia when he was playing for Sri Lanka.

“The past is past. You don’t think about those things,” he said on Wednesday in a Cricket Australia teleconference.

“It all happened in ’95 and ’99 – it was a long time ago.

“Always, I’ve had support – not the majority, but a minority of people don’t support me. I don’t know why.

“A majority of Australians also support me.”

Muralitharan was due to play for Victoria three years ago in the domestic T20 competition, but Sri Lanka blocked the move.

“I was happy to play at least, before I finish, one Big Bash tournament,” he said.

“A lot of great players are in the tournament and, hopefully, it’s going to be successful as well, like the IPL.”

He is particularly looking forward to playing against West Indian big hitter Chris Gayle, who will return for the Sydney Thunder.

The pair are teammates in the IPL and Muralitharan is under no illusions about Gayle’s ability.

“I know how to bowl to him – I don’t know where the ball will go,” Muralitharan joked.

“He’s such a dangerous player.

“We’ll try and see whether I can bowl well or whether he takes me out of the park.”