After enduring two arduous Test matches in Australia, where he managed just four wickets, he was able to return to his home venue of Kandy, a picturesque hill-station where he was raised, in the first Test against England and close on the coveted record that the now-retired leg-spinner Warne just about has a fingertip on.

Off-spinner Murali, 35, turned the match around after his team were dismissed for just 188 on Saturday only for England to reach 170-3 in their reply. The tourists eventually capitulated to 186-6 when rain stopped play for the day. Murali constantly says that always gains more pleasure from team success than he does from personally highlights, no matter how great the achievement.

He came into the match on 704 Test victims, needing to pass Warne’s 708. His first arrived when he had England captain Michael Vaughan caught by Chamara Silva for 37 and Ian Bell, following a punchy innings of 83, went the same way. That was 706.

Just as England began to rebuild through Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen, Murali struck another double blow. He trapped Pietersen lbw for 31 and then had debutant Ravi Bopara caught behind for eight, to bring him level with his long-time contemporary Warne.

At the rain break, Murali had ridiculously economical figures of 4-30 from 23 overs, with 11 maidens, to illustrate England’s struggle. The record is close, very close.