Muralitharan claimed 6-45 to equal Courtney Walsh's record

Zimbabwe, who are without 15 leading players, host Australia later this month, with Warne on 517 wickets.

"I think Shane Warne will pass me when Australia come here to Zimbabwe," Muralitharan said after taking 6-45.

"I think I bowled well because the wicket was not turning very much but the inexperienced batsmen helped."

Pace bowlers claimed Sri Lanka's first four wickets on day one of the first Test, so Murali knew he could only equal Courtney Walsh's career record.

And he admitted: "I didn't think I would get more than a few overs when they were 35-3."

The 32-year-old defended his new "doosra" leg-break delivery, which has been judged illegal by the International Cricket Council.

"I started working on it about seven years ago, and I haven't bowled it in matches until the last three years because it takes a long time to mature something like that," he said.

"You have to be perfect when you bowl at batsmen because spinners bowl so slowly that each loose ball is likely to go for four runs.

"Also, wickets are very flat and firm, and made for batsmen. So bowlers need variety to take wickets."