Aussies spoil Murali party

Muralitharan became the third player to reach the milestone when he bowled Michael Kasprowicz in the second Test against Australia in Kandy.

"I think 500 wickets is never easy as it will naturally involve a very long career," said Muralitharan.

"To do it against the Australians is significant as I made my debut against them, so it is a very special moment."

Former West Indies paceman Courtney Walsh and Australian's Shane Warne are the only others to achieve the goal.

But Muralitharan, playing in only his 87th Test match, is by far the quickest to the 500 mark.

Walsh, who tops the list with 519 wickets, played in a total of 132 Tests before his retirement in 2001.

The 2007 World Cup will be a target and maybe 20 to 30 (more) Test matches Muttiah Muralitharan

Leg spinner Warne, took his tally to 504 on the opening day of the second Test.

Muralitharan, however, was modest about his achievement, adding: " I must state that I am very lucky to have got to that mark.

"It is significant that I got my landmark here as I grew up in Kandy.

"I must add that I am bowling really well at the moment and have done that now for the last five to six years.

"As for the Australian team, they are a bunch of great players and I consider it to be a challenge to be bowling to them."

At 31, Murali arguably still has several years left at the top and should go on to eclipse Walsh.

"I think it is difficult to gauge as to how long I will go on,