Race To Record: Murali, six behind Warne, wants a fight

The Sri Lankan, on 485 wickets from 85 matches, has closed on Warne8217;s 491 wicket tally during the past year and both bowlers are now within striking distance of Walsh8217;s record. 8220;I definitely want Shane to come to Sri Lanka and I am looking forward to the challenge,8221; Muralitharan said.

Murali expects his 34-year-old rival to reach the world record first but is confident that by the end of his career he will be the world8217;s most prolific wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket.

8220;He is a great bowler and is six wickets ahead so he should reach the record first, although I have the advantage that we have more matches coming up,8221; he said.

8220;Shane has done cricket proud during the past decade and he is a player that I greatly admire. If he reaches the record first then good on him,8221; said 31-year-old Muralitharan. 8220;Even if he does get there first though I will probably have a little bit more time than him and I can break the record after that.8221;

Muralitharan, who bowls with a controversial bent-arm action and extracts prolific spin from a super-flexible wrist, is looking forward to the challenge of testing his abilities against the world champions.

The off-spinner has averaged 5.7 wickets per Test against all opposition but only three wickets per match against Australia at a moderate 41.90 average.