Muralitharan to retire from Test cricket

DAMBULLA // Muttiah Muralitharan plans to retire from Test cricket after next year's series against the West Indies. "That will be my last Test series," the off-spin bowler said. "I am hoping that's the right time for me because I will be 38 by then. "I prefer to play T20s and ODI cricket. I want to play ODI cricket until the next World Cup and T20s for a few more years." Muralitharan made his Test debut in 1992 and became the highest wicket taker in Test history when he broke Australian Shane Warne's record haul of 708 wickets in 2007.

He has picked up 770 Test wickets in 127 matches at 22 runs per wicket and could become the first player to claim 800 wickets. His 507 wickets in ODIs is also the highest by a bowler. Muralitharan was named player of the match as Sri Lanka won the first limited-over international against Pakistan by 36 runs. * AP