The Melbourne Renegades have signed England all-rounder Ben Stokes for the remainder of the KFC T20 Big Bash League season to replace injured New Zealander Jesse Ryder.Ryder has suffered a back injury which will prevent him taking part in BBL|04.23 year old Stokes, a left hand batsman and right arm fast bowler, shot to prominence in England’s Ashes Tour of Australia at the end of last year where he made his maiden Test century at the WACA.“I’m excited about coming down to Melbourne for the second half of the Big Bash season to play for the Renegades,” Stokes said.“It was great to see them get their first win on the board last Tuesday and I’m looking forward to the upcoming matches so we can build on that result and hopefully drive the team towards finals success.”Stokes has played fifty T20 matches with a strike rate of 128 and best figures of 2/14 and is scheduled to arrive in Melbourne this weekend. He will be available for selection for the match against the Hobart Hurricanes on January 7 in Hobart.Melbourne Renegades Head Coach Simon Helmot said Stokes would be an important addition to the team.“Obviously we wish Jesse well in his recovery from his back injury and hope we get the chance to see him in red in the summers to come,” Helmot said.“Ben is a quality player and was recognised by many as one the shining lights during England’s difficult tour of Australia last year. He brings international experience and a real energy and will be a great asset to both our bowling stocks and batting line up.”The news follows the recent announcement that the world’s top T20 all-rounder, Bangladeshi Shakib Al-Hasan will also join the Renegades for the remainder of BBL|04.