Warne on verge of 400 wickets

LEEDS, England - Shane Warne is less anxious about joining the exclusive 400 Test-wicket club than he was about breaking Dennis Lillee's record for an Australian bowler.

Warne goes into the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley, starting Thursday, with 395 victims from 90 Tests and a relaxed frame of mind.

He was on the verge of breaking Lillee's standard of 355 wickets for what seemed like an eternity before finally dismissing Paul Wiseman in New Zealand last year for No.356.

Headingley is traditionally a seamer's paradise but boasting 19 wickets at 12.84 in the first three Ashes Tests, Warne is every chance of taking five more to be the first Australian to reach 400.

"It would be fantastic," he said.

"I don't think I'll be doing too much bowling here at Headingley where the quicks generally do all the business but if I could slide in for a couple it would be very nice.

"I don't worry about statistics too much ... the only time in my career I got stuck was breaking Lillee's record.

"There was a lot of pressure because it was such a great achievement.

"I never even expected to play for Australia."

Only Courtney Walsh (519), Kapil Dev (434), Sir Richard Hadlee (431), Wasim Akram (414) and Curtly Ambrose (405) have taken 400 wickets in the 124-year history of Test cricket.

"I don't worry about statistics too much but to get 400 Test wickets, there haven't been many people to do it," said Warne.

"I'm very excited by the prospect.

"If I can get a couple of important wickets, break a couple of partnerships this game and get five, it would be a bonus.

"When records happen you give yourself a little pat on the back and say 'well done.'"