Muttiah Muralitharan back for Big Bash

The 41-year-old Sri Lankan spin maestro was the Renegades' leading bowler last season in the Twenty20 competition, and will partner leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed, who is currently playing for Australia ‘A'.

But Muralitharan, who finished his Test career with a record 800 wickets, will not be facing old rival Shane Warne again. The Australian, who had played with the Melbourne Stars, on Monday announced his retirement from the game.

"Murali is still going strong and was our leading bowler last season with 11 wickets," said Renegades chief Stuart Coventry. Siddle is set to play for the Renegades following the conclusion of the fifth Ashes Test, but there were question marks over Pattinson, who suffered a stress fracture.