Essendon coach James Hird and captain Jobe Watson today met the leading test cricket wicket taker of all time Muttiah Muralitharan at Windy Hill.

Muralitharan was at Windy Hill for a practice match with Big Bash side the Melbourne Renegades ahead of their season opener against the Melbourne Stars on Friday night.

Murali joined Watson for a kick of the football on the oval as he was introduced to the game of AFL.

Renegades captain Aaron Finch and coach Simon Helmot joined the Sri Lankan great in presenting tops to the Bombers pair.

Essendon captain Jobe Watson then returned the favour presenting Murali with an Essendon guernsey.

True Value Solar, a co-major sponsor of the Bombers, have joined forces with the Renegades for the 2013 Big Bash season.