Muttiah Muralitharan issued a warning to the batsmen of the world by stating that he is targeting 700 wickets in Test cricket and at least three-four more years of international cricket.
"As I see it, if I play for 3-4 more years, I should be able to cross the 700-wicket target," said Murali after Sri Lanka had a practice session ahead of their triangular series game against the West Indies on Tuesday.
The Sri Lankan has so far picked 549 wickets in 93 Tests at an average of 22.39 and claimed five wickets in an innings on no less than 46 occasions. He claimed ten wickets in a match 14 times.
He has chalked out his progress chart to the last detail, and plans to take six or seven wickets in every Test, but in one-dayers he would change his style according to his captain's demands.
"I am hoping to take six or seven wickets in every Test I play. If I can do it, it should be easy in next two-three years.
"In one-dayers though my style is different. I am trying to stop the flow of runs but if my captain asks me to attack, I do accordingly."
The once inconceivable target of 700 wickets is within reach of not only him but to a few others as well in international cricket and Murali is aware of this.
"It's not only me. Warne can do it, so could Kumble or Glenn McGrath."
Murali's ambition evokes the image of West Indies' Brian Lara, who also has his sights set on a few profitable years in Tests and for which he is willing to cut down on his one-day assignments.
"My approach is different. I feel that being involved in One-Day Internationals can actually keep me going in Test cricket. It is never good if you come back to the field after a long lay-off."
Murali was all praise for the manner in which Sanath Jayasuriya put up his hand up for the team in Saturday's run-chase against India under lights, but said it was not as if it was being done for the first time on a cricket field.
"Sanath was brilliant but there are a lot of cricketers who have done it before. Arjuna Ranatunga batted with a broken thumb in Lahore and quite a few others have also shown similar courage. If the moment comes for you to do your bit for the team, you don't back away."
The mercurial off-spinner also singled out India as a team to watch out for and said it is wrong to suggest that it is a young and inexperienced side.
"I don't think it's an inexperienced side. Rahul is there. Kumble, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, the fast bowlers -- everyone is around."
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