Warne says Murali's record will last forever
SYDNEY: Shane Warne has congratulated Muttiah Muralitharan on reclaiming the world record for most Test wickets, declaring that the mark will stand forever.
Muralitharan claimed his 709th wicket in Sri Lanka's first Test against England in Kandy on Monday to become Test cricket's most successful bowler.
The off-spinner, playing his 116th Test, bowled Paul Collingwood to grab his fifth wicket in the innings and surpass retired Australian leg-spinner Warne's world-record tally of 708 wickets in 145 matches.
"I congratulate Murali for breaking the record I had," Warne. "I knew I would only have it for a short time. Murali has said he wanted to take 1,000 Test wickets and he has every chance of getting there.
"If he does I don't think anyone else will catch him."
Muralitharan's career has been blighted by concerns over the legitimacy of his action, but Warne refused to denigrate the achievement.
"Despite what people say he'll be remembered as one of the game's great bowlers," Warne said.
"He's an excellent competitor and has been great for Sri Lankan cricket. He's a great bloke too. I've been to Sri Lanka to help him after the (December 2004) tsunami and we now even have a trophy named after the two of us. I'd just like to say 'well done' on the record."
Tom Moody, who coached Sri Lanka for two years before departing after the World Cup in April to take charge at Western Australia, believes Muralitharan could reach 1,000 Test wickets.
"If his body holds together and he's still got the burning desire to achieve those personal milestones, he's going to do it, simple as that," Moody said.
"Obviously, there are a lot of obstacles, particularly physically when you're getting older, but if he manages to stay on the park, there's enough cricket around for him to do it because he takes wickets at such a fast rate."
AFP
(China Daily 12/05/2007 page20)
