Murali takes aim at Walsh’s world record

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s world number one rated bowler Muttiah Muralitharan is asking his Sri Lankan authorities to ease his work-load while he takes aim at the world wicket-taking Test record by retired West Indies pacer Courtney Walsh. The 31 year-old off-spinner is the world’s third-highest wicket-taker with 485 victims in 85 Tests, after Walsh (519 from 132 Test matches), and Australian leg-spinner, Shane Warne (491/107). Muralitharan is preparing to lead Sri Lanka’s attack against Australia early next year and believes he needs to be excused from domestic commitments in the coming weeks to stay fresh for the Australians.

“I love bowling, but I also need rest,” said Muralitharan, who has suffered shoulder and groin injuries. He bowled an astonishing 231.4 tight overs in Sri Lanka’s series win over England recently, but constantly required an ice-pack treatment for his bowling shoulder. “If they [the Sri Lankan board] make me play in the provincial tournaments, it will be difficult when the Australians come,” he said. Muralitharan and Warne are poised to battle for the world record, as Warne becomes eligible for selection soon, after serving a 12-month suspension for testing positive for a banned diuretic. “I think breaking Courtney’s record is within my reach,” Muralitharan said. “If I play for three or four more years I can easily go past the record. It depends on how Warne bowls. It depends on who gets there first,” said Muralitharan, who is rated number one bowler in the world by Pricewaterhouse/Coopers rankings, in both Test and One-Day International cricket.