Lanka thrash Zimbabwe to win third Test

Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan reached 400 test wickets in record time on Tuesday as he spun Sri Lanka to a 3-0 series whitewash over Zimbabwe and immediately looked forward to making it 500.

Sri Lanka recorded their eighth consecutive win with a day to spare when they dismissed Zimbabwe for a paltry 79 in their second innings to win by 315 runs.

Muralitharan, playing his 72nd test, captured nine for 91 in the match, with captain Sanath Jayasuriya taking nine for 74 with his part-time left-arm spin.

At 29, Muralitharan is the youngest of the seven men to have exceeded 400 test wickets. He also reached the target in eight fewer tests than the previous fastest, New Zealand pace bowler Richard Hadlee who was first to the mark in 80 matches.

"It's hard to take 400 wickets and it's a great moment in my career," Muralitharan said. "I am really proud to have reached it, having played less test matches than others.

"I didn't have that much luck on the first few days as the ball was dropping here and there but we kept our patience as we felt that one wicket would bring two or three.

"The main thing in my mind now is to take 500 wickets but if I remain fit and keep performing well then I can continue for another five years and could then get 600.

"I don't see (Australian spinner) Shane Warne as a rival. If he gets 500 or 600 wickets I don't mind it. It is his achievement. I want to concentrate on my personal achievements and the side winning."

MILESTONE WICKET
Muralitharan reached his goal when he bowled Henry Olonga in the first innings to finish with figures of five for 67, the 33rd time he has taken five or more wickets in an innings.

Zimbabwe, resuming at 230 for five, lost their last five wickets for six runs and were all out for 236, conceding a first innings lead of 182.

Sri Lanka went for quick runs in their second innings and declared at 212 for two, Marvan Atapattu setting the pace with his ninth test hundred, an unbeaten 100 off 126 balls with 11 fours.

The home side declared at tea and Zimbabwe, facing a daunting task, were dismissed in the final session after Sri Lanka had claimed the extra hour with Zimbabwe 72 for eight.

Jayasuriya took the man-of-the-match award for his nine wickets, while Muralitharan won the man-of-the-series award, finishing with a Sri Lanka record 30 wickets in three tests.

It was Sri Lanka's second successive whitewash triumph after a 3-0 win over West Indies.

Also read:
- Lanka spinners strike after a record stand
- A perfect 10 for the Kandy man?
- 400 Test wickets for Muralitharan

Mail Cricket Editor