BBL’s season two opened on Friday night at Etihad Stadium with bails that flashed red and motorbikes that flew into the air doing somersaults.

England international Luke Wright top-scored with 53 for the Shane Warne-led Melbourne Stars who reached 5-167 from their 20 overs after choosing to bat first in their much-hyped derby with the Melbourne Renegades.

David Hussey paced the innings beautifully at No.4 and was out in the last over for 42.

Test cricket’s leading wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan claimed 0-28 from his four overs.

The Sri Lankan spin wizard was taunted by the crowd who chanted “no-ball” during his opening over.

Murali was called for chucking in the MCG Test of 1995 and spoke earlier this week of how he’d put those bad memories behind him and how much he loved Melbourne.

Spinner Aaron O’Brien took 2-27 for the Renegades.

Ex-Renegade Brad Hodge was booed on his way to the crease and scored 28 before the No.3 became the first BBL player to fall victim to the new design of bails which flash red on impact.

Hodge was run out in the ninth over at 2-74 after a 51-run stand with Wright, who fell attempting a switch-hit at 3-102.

Cameron White (20) was brilliantly caught at long-on by South African international Faf du Plessis.

Pre-match entertainment included a series of upside-down motorcycle stunts from the Crusty Demons.