Murali to chase 1000 wickets?

Speaking to Rediff.com in 2002, Shane Warne -- who shortly before had gone through shoulder surgery -- said 600 wickets was a target he was not dreaming of; that he would be content with two more years of top flight cricket.

Since then, he went on to play for four more years, winning matches and defying the odds; heading into his final outing in Australia colors, Warne is 704 wickets and counting.

So when Sri Lankan off spinner Muthaiah Muralitharan talks of wanting 1000 wickets, you don't rule him, or that target, out.

The Lankan veteran is currently on 674 wickets, second only to Warne in the all time list. 'I am 34 now, and if I go on for another five years without an injury, that's possible I guess,' Murali told The Island, about the 1000-wicket mark. 'But it depends on my form and how I feel and lot of other things. We'll see.'

Clearly, he wants to give it a go; thus, he tells the paper that he hopes to cut down his one day commitments after the 2007 World Cup. 'The workload is huge, and there's no point in playing each and every ODI competition or tournament,' he says.

Coincidentally, Murali's comments came on the same day West Indies great Brian Lara announced his intention to cut down on ODIs. Both are following in the footsteps of Warne, who had retired from ODIs close to two years ago, so he could focus on the longer version of the game.

Clearly, the game's veterans are looking to prolong their Test careers, by cutting back on the pajama form of the game. And if that helps Murali scale a height no bowler has dared dream of much less speak about, who is complaining?

Can Murali do it?