Murali signs for Victoria

Muttiah Muralitharan has agreed to play for Victoria in this year's domestic Twenty20 competition in Australia.

Australia state side opens arms to Sri Lanka spinner

Muttiah Muralitharan has agreed to play for Victoria in this year's domestic Twenty20 competition in Australia. The Sri Lanka spinner will line up alongside West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as the two international players for the Bushrangers. Muralitharan has not always been well received by Australia fans as he vied with Victorian legend Shane Warne as leading wicket-taker in Test cricket. Leg-spinner Warne retired with 708 dismissals to his name in 2007, a mark that Muralitharan has gone on to surpass. However, question marks over his bowling action have consistently dogged the Sri Lankan, and he was no-balled for chucking in Melbourne in 2005 and has been barracked by Aussie fans ever since. However, the veteran is looking forward to connecting with supporters at the MCG. "What a thrill it will be to play in front of a 'home' crowd at the mighty MCG," he said in a statement. "It's an exciting prospect and a great honour, and I look forward to playing my part in the Bushrangers' team and hopefully entertaining Victorian and Australian fans." The competition starts on December 28 with the finalists qualifying for the Champions League. Victoria, along with New South Wales, qualified for the inaugural tournament which will take place in India in October.