Murali closed day two of the first Test against at Kandy with four wickets and required one more to go past Warne. Although he was made to wait as number eight batsman Ryan Sidebottom made 31 useful runs to increase England’s lead, Murali eventually broke the record when he bowled Paul Collingwood for 45.

Collingwood’s name was inked in history for the wrong reasons when he played down the wrong line to Murali, before the legendary bowler celebrated his most keenly awaited wicket.

Firecrackers were detonated around the stadium as the Test came to a temporary halt. Murali soon reached 710 when he had Matthew Hoggard stumped, trying to sweep. England made 281 and were able to scrap together a precious lead of 93. Inevitably Murali led his team from the field to raucous applause in the hill-station town where he learnt his cricket.

It was a fitting way for him to reach the milestone having endured two difficult Test matches in Australia where he managed just four wickets in two Tests. Given the choice he probably wouldn’t have wanted to break the record anywhere else.

Leading wicket-takers: (* = still playing)
M. Muralitharan 710*
S. Warne  708
A. Kumble  576*
G. McGrath  563
C. Walsh  519
Kapil Dev  434
R. Hadlee  431
S. Pollock  416*
Wasim Akram  414
C. Ambrose  405
I. Botham  383
M. Marshall  376