Dec 03, Kandy: Sri Lanka's ace spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan set a new world record taking 709 test wickets in international cricket today at the test match being played between Sri Lanka and England at Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy today. England’s Paul Collingwood was the 709th batsman to be balled out by Murali.

Muralitharan came in to international cricket in 1992 in a match with Australia. So far, he has played 116 test matches for the country.

Murali being an old boy of St. Anthony’s College Katugastota, Kandy the hill capital was seen overjoyed with the historic achievement he has made at his home pitch. Thousands of spectators have gathered to the stadium waving Sri Lankan flags to greet the extraordinary Kandyan cricketer. Unceasing sounds of fire crackers were heard all around the hill capital.

Murali has broken the old world record previously set by Australia’s leg spinner Shane Warne by obtaining 708 wickets. For his world record, Shane Warne played 145 matches while Murali has exceeded the mark within just 116 matches. The average wicket taking for Murali for test matches is 21.70.