Muralitharan finishes with 800 Test wickets

GALLE - Sri Lankan off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan made a perfect finish to a stellar career, claiming his 800th Test wicket in his last match against India here Thursday and becoming the first bowler to reach the milestone.

Muralitharan, who was eight wickets short of the landmark figure of 800 coming into his swansong Test, finished with match figures of eight for 191. He took five for 63 in the first innings and three for 128 in the second.

Pragyan Ojha became Muralitharan’s 800th Test wicket when he was caught by Mahela Jayawerdena in the slips.

Muralitharan’s 800 Test wickets came in 133 matches at an average of 22.74.