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Leading Test wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan has signed for the Melbourne Renegades for next season's Australian Twenty20 Big Bash League, the team said on Friday.
The 40-year-old Sri Lankan spin maestro, who retired from international cricket after Sri Lanka lost the World Cup final to India last year, will be playing in the domestic Big Bash tournament for the first time.
"I wanted to play one season in Australia and the opportunity from the Melbourne Renegades was there so I took it with both hands," Muralitharan said in a team statement.
He said he looked forward to lining up against his old Australian "foe" Shane Warne who plays for the Melbourne Stars.
"I think Shane is a great bowler and I've always admired him. I'll try to do well and he'll try to do well for his team," he said.
Muralitharan finished his Test career with a record 800 wickets, 92 ahead of Warne, who retired from Tests in 2007.
Muralitharan confirmed the "doosra" -- the difficult-to-bowl leg-spinner delivered with an off-spinning action -- would be on show this southern summer on a specially-prepared drop-in pitch at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium.
"Sometimes the drop-in pitches can assist the spinners so that might help me," he said.
"There's a big Sri Lankan community (in Melbourne) so hopefully they can come and watch."
The eight-team Big Bash League gets under way on December 7 with the final on January 19. (Source: Times of India)
Comments - 10
Comments - Murali signs for Australian Big Bash team
Nodrog Friday, 13 July 2012 03:57 AM
Hope the Aussie crowds treat you well.
421
Asoka Friday, 13 July 2012 04:53 AM
Don't worry, we SL Aussies will look after you.
820
ahmed Friday, 13 July 2012 05:08 AM
Can,t play for the country,but for other countries.IPL & now in Big bash..Our country is missing a great player like you in all form of the game.
3118
Amarapala Friday, 13 July 2012 05:46 AM
I remember you vowed not play cricket in Australia. Have you already forgotten that statement.
69
Jayantha Jayamanne Friday, 13 July 2012 06:13 AM
May be your ambition is to become the richest cricketer in rhe world. Is it?
1211
Kiris Baba Amaray Friday, 13 July 2012 06:14 AM
You deserve it son, create more records. All the best.
322
Godagampala Rohana Friday, 13 July 2012 06:16 AM
Good move, go a head, but don't teach your bowling tacktics to Aussies OK.
514
Rosh Friday, 13 July 2012 06:54 AM
Yeah atleast this time!!!
215
Shashika Friday, 13 July 2012 08:03 AM
ur a proud son of mother Lanka...All the very best to you!!!!
313
K.V.Wajira Hemantha Friday, 13 July 2012 09:00 AM
Amarapala, 100 percentt agreed with you..aussies who tried to wipe off Murali from cricketing world..now Begging for money..please pay half of your Earning to Arjuna....you owe him life time brother....
510
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