Cricket has a reputation for producing the unexpected but there are few safer predictions than Muttiah Muralitharan grabbing a bagful of wickets on a dusty Galle track. Thus, as Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe limber up for the final Test of a hopelessly one-sided three-match series, Sri Lanka's crown jewel looks set to reach 400 Test wickets in record time.
Muralitharan, his ring finger still swollen and locked safely in a protective plastic splint, needs just five more wickets to become the seventh bowler to join the exclusive 400 club.
Astonishingly, if he does take the five, the Sri Lankan-born Tamil, now 29, will have reached the landmark in just 72 games, eight matches less and nine years younger than the next quickest, New Zealand's Richard Hadlee, who passed 400 in his 80th game.
He will also become the youngest to the landmark being two years younger than his contemporary counterpart, Aussie leg-spinner Shane Warne, who reached the 400 mark against England at the Oval last summer but needed 20 more Tests.
The impending milestone dominates the build-up to the Test, with captain Sanath Jayasuriya hoping he clinches it on home soil: "This is a historical game for Murali and we are all looking forward and waiting for him taking his 400th wicket. The wicket looks good for batting but it should start spinning by the second or third day and may crack later because of the heat."
The affable off-spinner, famous for his piercing eyes and a partially bent locked elbow that creates the illusion of his arm straightening at the point of delivery, has not fully recovered from ligament damage caused by his finger being dislocated in the second Test, but there is no question of him not playing, even if the injury will handicap him in the field.
Unsurprisingly, Jayasuriya is prepared to swap a few fumbles for his prodigiously turning off-breaks. "He is recovering fast from the injury and improving day by day but we will still have to manage him carefully and might have to hide him a little in the field," he said.
Despite having taken 51 wickets in seven matches at Galle, Muralitharan is being typically cautious: "I have not been thinking about it much really. Hopefully, though, I can get there in this game if I bowl well, but then there is no guarantee in cricket." But, already, his eyes are fixed on greater achievements: "I really want to take 500 Test wickets and, being just 29, I have plenty of time to do that."
The omens are not good for Zimbabwe with a confidant Sri Lankan team closing in on a clean sweep at a venue where they look as formidable as the sturdy Dutch Fort that forms such a spectacular backdrop to the stadium.
The hosts have won their last four games here and boast an attack well suited to the conditions. In contrast, the visitors lack self-belief and a frontline spinner on a pitch that is going to offer the pace bowlers no encouragement whatsoever.
Stuart Carlisle, speaking before the final team practice, said: "We are looking for a much improved team performance but it's going to be a real challenge on a pitch that looks like it will turn a lot. The mood is a little bit down after three months away but this is an important Test and the guys know they are playing for their places on the India tour."
Zimbabwe have already released opening batsman Hamilton Masakadza and wicket-keeper Tatendra Taibu for the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand and will be picking the final team from a 12-man squad. Medium pacer Gary Brent looks likely to be left out.
Sri Lanka are set to make one change with leg-spinner Upul Chandana coming into the side in place of Nuwan Zoysa who could have played but is suffering for a groin niggle.
Further experimentation has been ruled out. "We discussed making changes but what we wanted to get all the players in good form. People like Russel Arnold, who has a big role to play in Sri Lankan cricket, need some confidence. We are going to England and we will have a chance of playing some youngsters in the early games," said Jayasuriya.
Sri Lanka:
Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Kumar Sangakkara, Hashan Tillakaratne, Thilan Samaraweera, Upul Chandana, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Charitha Fernando, Ruchira Perera
Zimbabwe:
Stuart Carlisle (Capt), Heath Streak, Grant Flower, Andy Flower, Dion Ebrahim, Trevor Gripper, Craig Wishart, Gavin Rennie, Douglas Marillier, Gary Brent, Travis Friend, Henry Olonga
© Cricinfo
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