Usman Shinwari, Harry Gurney join Melbourne Renegades for 2018-19 BBL

Melbourne Renegades have signed left-arm seamers Usman Shinwari and Harry Gurney for the upcoming Big Bash League. Pakistan's Shinwari will be available for the first seven games, with England and Nottinghamshire seamer Gurney taking over for the second half of the season.

Shinwari, 24, has played 22 limited-overs internationals for Pakistan, featuring in the third T20I against Australia last month. He plays for Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League and has taken 57 T20 wickets at 20.24 in his career, with an economy of 7.28.

"I have watched the Big Bash with interest in recent years and I've been impressed with the quality of the competition," Shinwari said. "I'm hoping I can bring something different to the team with my bowling and help the Renegades push for success."

Gurney, 32, last represented England in 2014, but has honed a reputation as one of the best death-overs bowlers on the county circuit, and helped Nottinghamshire - where he plays alongside Melbourne Renegades' Daniel Christian - to lift the T20 Blast title in 2017. Armed with a variety of yorkers and slower balls, he has 134 T20 wickets, and a career economy of 7.77

"Dan spoke very positively about the competition so to get an opportunity to come and play with the Renegades is something I'm really grateful for," Gurney said. "I've had a fair bit of experience in T20 cricket in England so I'm really excited to test myself in Australian conditions.

"I have admired the BBL from afar for a few years and am thrilled to get an opportunity to play in the comp. There is plenty of talent in the Renegades squad so hopefully I can come in and play my role for the team and help us have a strong season."

The Renegades, who have never won the BBL but last year reached the semi-finals, have already secured Afghanistan allrounder Mohammad Nabi for a second spell as one of their overseas players. Christian is a new arrival, signed alongside Cameron Boyce from Hobart Hurricanes, with Aaron Finch once again captaining the team.

"We wanted to add in a left-arm seam option to provide some added variation to our attack and Harry and Usman will certainly provide that," Andrew McDonald, Renegades' coach, said. "They'll complement our bowling unit really well and give us plenty of options throughout the innings.

"In the last few months we've been able to add in some established Big Bash players in Dan Christian and Cameron Boyce, some exciting international talent and some really promising young players. We've also been able to retain the bulk of last season's squad so competition for spots in the final XI will be fierce."