Murali becomes second man to take 700 Test wickets

Colombo : Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan today became the second man in Test history to take 700 wickets. He is now just nine short of overtaking Australia's record-holding leg-spinner Shane Warne, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year.

Murali is expected to become the new record holder when the Sri Lankan team tours Australia in October and November. His 700th wicket came during Sri Lanka's innings and 193 run defeat of Bangladesh on fourth day of the third and final Test.

The off spinner claimed a match haul of 12-82 to help the hosts complete a three-match series whitewash over the visitors.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s top order made a solid start to their second innings, reaching the lunch interval on 106 for two. Thereafter, fast bowler Lasith Malinga and Murali effected a stunning collapse of the Bangladeshi batting order to register victory.

Sri Lanka scored 500 for four declared thanks to an unbeaten 222 by Kumar Sangakara and 165 by captain Mahela Jayawardene.

Sangakkara’s double ton was the sixth of his 67-match test career, a record bettered by only Englishman Wally Hammond (seven), West Indian Brian Lara (nine) and Australian great Don Bradman (12).

Jayawardene’s 18th Test century spanned 210 deliveries and included 15 boundaries and three sixes.

Bangladesh were dismissed for 131 in their first innings. (ANI)