HARARE (Reuters) - Muttiah Muralitharan has broken the world record for test match wickets as Sri Lanka wrapped up a crushing victory over a weakened Zimbabwe side on the third day of the first test.
Sri Lanka won by an innings and 240 runs, with the off spinner taking two for 27 to reach 521 wickets and pass West Indies’ Courtney Walsh, who took 519 wickets.
Zimbabwe, needing 342 to make Sri Lanka bat again and fielding a line-up including five new caps following a player rebellion, were dismissed for 102 in their second innings.
Muralitharan’s record-breaking victim was Mluleki Nkala, who was caught by Mahela Jayawardene at silly mid-off.
He then caught and bowled Alester Maregwede with his next delivery but his chance of a hat-trick was interrupted as he hurt the index finger on his right hand in taking the catch.
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Muralitharan, who left the field for treatment and bowled with a bandaged finger on his return, said he received a telephone call from Walsh after his feat.
"He congratulated me, just like he did when I reached 500 wickets," he said.
Left-arm pace bowler Nuwan Zoysa maintained a disciplined line and obtained movement off the seam to take five for 30.
The visitors resumed on 456 for seven and were dismissed an hour into the day’s play with medium pacer Blessing Mahwire taking three for 97 and fast bowler Tinashe Panyangara three for 101.
Zimbabwe were in trouble as early as the fourth over of their second innings when Stuart Matsikenyeri fended a delivery from Zoysa to Jayawardene at second slip to be dismissed for 11.
Zoysa struck again with what became the last ball before lunch when Dion Ebrahim, on two, sent a looping catch off the back of his bat to wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene.
Five balls after lunch Zimbabwe were 17 for three when Brendan Taylor gloved a ball from left-arm fast bowler Chaminda Vaas to Muralitharan at short fine leg.
Zoysa took his haul to four wickets and reduced Zimbabwe to 18 for five when he trapped captain Tatenda Taibu in front for a six-ball duck, and induced Elton Chigumbura, on nought, to fend a rising delivery behind.
Zimbabwe’s only noteworthy batting came from Nkala and Maregwede, who shared a bright stand of 45 for the sixth wicket before Muralitharan separated them. Nkala top-scored with 24.
Sri Lanka, however, kept the pressure on even with victory assured.
"It was easier to whip the boys up because Murali was approaching this milestone," captain Marvan Atapattu said.
Zimbabwe were forced to name a weakened team after 15 experienced white players made themselves unavailable in a dispute with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union. They argue they have been sidelined from the team for political reasons.
The rebels agreed on Friday to go to mediation to try and resolve their grievances.
Zimbabwe’s side, beaten 5-0 in the one-dayers, had an average age of 20 in the first test. The second and final test starts in Bulawayo on Friday.
