Marlon Samuels cleaned up the tail enders as his side Melbourne Renegades crushed Adelaide Strikers to return to the top of the ladder in the Australian Big Bash League on Wednesday.

Samuels finished with leading figures of 3 for 16 off three overs after Muttiah Muralitharan ripped through the middle order and helped inspire a 48-run win at Etihad Stadium.

The Strikers offered no real resistance and crumbled to 107 all out after Samuel's Renegades posted a more than competitive total of 155 for 6.

Samuels contributed 16 from 9 balls included two fours and a six.

virtually unplayable

Murali was virtually unplayable on his way to 3 for 18 off four overs including Kieron Pollard who he caught plumb off front to end any hopes the Strikers had of a middle-order revival.

Pollard himself shared in the highlights of the match by taking a spectacular one-handed catch running back with the flight, off his own bowling.

The Renegades are now virtually assured of a top four finish while the Strikers are right back in the pack, sitting at fourth for the moment ahead of the Scorchers and the Heat, who have a game in hand against the Stars on Thursday night.