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Sri Lankan becomes the first to reach four figures

Murali 'delighted' at reaching 1000-wicket landmark

Cricinfo staff

March 3, 2006

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Muttiah Muralitharan celebrates wicket 999 ... he had to wait another eight overs for the historic thousandth © AFP
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Muttiah Muralitharan, playing in his 100th Test, reached another landmark when he became the first bowler to take 1,000 international wickets during his 6 for 54 in Bangladesh's second innings at Chittagong.

Wicket No. 1000, his second of the day, came in slightly controversial circumstances when he had Khaled Mashud given out caught when the ball appeared to have only struck his pad. He finished the innings with 593 Test and 411 one-day international wickets.

"I am delighted," he said. "When I played my first Test I never thought I would have all these records. All I wanted was to play a few games.It is a dream for me to play 100 Tests and to take 1,000 international wickets. I never expected it.

"I am still young, just 33 years old. I have had 16 years of hard cricket and that has included good times, bad times, and very difficult times."

Asked the almost inevitable question about how long he would continue, Murali smiled. "I am a father and I have to plan my future carefully," he said. "I will play until the World Cup and maybe then decide. But today was special."

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.

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