Atapattu: 'Murali's achievement ranks alongside the World Cup'

Sri Lanka's captain, Marvan Atapattu, expressed his pride at witnessing Muttiah Muralitharan break the world Test bowling record, adding that his team was so keen to help him achieve the feat, that they never felt as though they were playing a second-string Zimbabwe team.

"I am sure the boys still haven't felt that we have played a second-string side," said Atapattu, after Sri Lanka had beaten Zimbabwe by an innings and 240 runs in the first Test at Harare. "That was basically overshadowed by Murali's efforts. It really lifted us.

"It was a memorable match," he added, "not only because Murali broke the world record, but for this being my first Test match as official captain. We deserved to win the way we played right from the beginning. All in all it was a fantastic Test match for us."

In terms of Sri Lanka's history, Atapattu believes that the day ranks alongside the World Cup victory in 1996. "It was one of those memorable days," he said. "It ranks next to winning the World Cup. To have captained on the occasion where Murali went past the Milestone, I can't ask for anything more."

Murali's heroics aside, Atapattu expressed his concerns about Sri Lanka's middle order, hoping that they would click in the next Test at Bulawayo. "It is not always easy to bat with the new ball," he said. "But we got through the initial period and it was easy to make runs after that, as it was a perfect batting wicket. Zimbabwe bowled well with the second new ball, but they couldn't do the same with the old ball. It was one of those days the middle order failed I hope things will get better as we go along."

Atapattu also praised the bowling of Nuwan Zoysa and Chaminda Vaas. "We'll have to handle Zoysa carefully so that he will serve Sri Lanka cricket for a long time. Just because he got five wickets doesn't mean that he is going to play right throughout the series. We've got to manage him properly to get the maximum out of him."

It was a hint that Zoysa, whose career has been dogged by injuries, may be replaced by Dilhara Fernando for Friday's second Test at Bulawayo. "We like to see Dilhara getting some match practice bowling in a Test match. Murali also deserves a break but I don't know whether he thinks it that way."