Another major milestone is looming for Shane Warne as the Australian prepares for his final Test against England in Sydney next week -- 1,000 international wickets.
The 37-year-old crowned his farewell appearance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by becoming the first player to reach 700 Tests wickets in Australia's emphatic three-day victory.
He went into the match on 699 wickets and needing just one more to reach the once-unimaginable 700 barrier and finished with seven to lift his career total to 706.
Combined with his 293 one-day scalps, Warne now has 999 international wickets, leaving him on the cusp of another remarkable achievement when he farewells the game at the same ground where he made his Test debut in 1992.
"I couldn't ask for this Test match to go any better, from a team point of view and a personal point of view," Warne told a news conference.
"And going back to Sydney, where it all started for me. If I can continue to bowl well and get a few wickets in Sydney, it'll be great."
Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan is the only bowler to have taken a 1,000 international wickets and the off-spinner claimed his 1,100th victim in a one-dayer against New Zealand on Thursday.
NO REGRETS
Warne stunned the cricketing world when he announced last week he was retiring after the Ashes series but said he has no regrets about his decision.
He took seven wickets in Melbourne and scored an unbeaten 40 with the bat to win the man of the match award, proving his retirement is unrelated to his form.
"I'm not sad at all and I'm really just enjoying myself," he said.
"I feel quite young and fresh, even though the body is not telling me that. In my mind, I'm just enjoying these last couple of games. "These sort of moments are something to enjoy. It doesn't make me sad. I'm leaving on top of my game and I feel like I'm bowling as good as I have in any stage of my career.
"I'm just jumping out of my skin at the moment. I feel like I've had 50 vodka red bulls every time I walk out on the field."
Warne said his decision to retire had been made easier because he knew Australian cricket was in good hands.
"I don't think any Australian side I've played in has played so good at the moment," he said.
"I don't want to compare eras, I don't think that's right to do, but it's just a joy to play at the moment. We're all on a bit of a high because we're playing good cricket.
"That's a good sign for the team and team spirit. The overriding factor was that we won.
"It was great to have that satisfaction and so good to share it. It's just been a great summer so far."
