Murali keeps date with history

Muttiah Muralitharan became the third bowler in history to claim 500 wickets as Australia and Sri Lanka both collapsed in dramatic fashion o...

Muttiah Muralitharan became the third bowler in history to claim 500 wickets as Australia and Sri Lanka both collapsed in dramatic fashion on the opening day of the second Test on Tuesday.

Australia opted to bat on a lively wicket before being skittled for 120 in 42.2 overs.

The wickets kept tumbling, though, with the home side, already 1-0 down in the three-Test series, tottering on 92 for seven when bad light ended play.

It was Australia lowest Test score against Sri Lanka. Only Courtney Walsh, with 519, and Shane Warne, who passed the 500 mark during the first Test in Galle, have accumulated more wickets. 8220;It was happy moment for me to take 500 wickets against Australia, the best team in the world, and special for me to do it here in Kandy his hometown,8221; Muralitharan said. 8220;I now want to play until the 2007 World Cup so I can play another 25 to 30 Tests and can reach 650 wickets.8221;

Left-arm seamer Nuwan Zoysa stole some of the spotlight, taking a career best four for 54 from 16 overs on his return to the Test team as Australia imploded from 47 for one.

Muralitharan reached the 500 mark by having Jason Gillespie caught at slip and bowling Michael Kasprowicz through the gate. Australia8217;s previous lowest total against Sri Lanka was 140, scored at Kandy during their 1999 tour. They lost that game by six wickets.

They fought back immediately on Tuesday, however, pace bowler Kasprowicz producing a three-wicket burst with the new ball. Jason Gillespie hurried a bouncer onto Kumar Sangakkara, who top-edged a hook, to make it 49 for four before Warne lulled Mahela Jayawardene into a reckless heave and trapped Tillakaratne Dilshan lbw first ball.

BRIEF SCORES

Australia:
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120 M Hayden 54; M Muralitharan 4/48, N Zoysa 4/54, C Vaas 2/14 vs Sri Lanka: 92-7 S Warne 3/15, M Kasprowicz 3/33