Factfile on Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who became the third bowler to take 500 Test wickets, on the opening day of the second Test against Australia on Tuesday.
Born: April 17, 1972; Kandy, Sri Lanka.
1992: Makes Test debut against Australia.
1993: Plays in his first One-Day International against India.
1995: Called for throwing by Australian umpire Darrell Hair, prompting continuing debate about the legality of his throwing action.
1997: Takes 100th Test wicket against New Zealand.
1998: Takes 200th Test wicket against England.
Called again for throwing during One-Day International in Adelaide, prompting the Sri Lanka team to leave the field in protest. Subsequent Tests show that Muralitharan bowls with a bent elbow due to a congenital deformity.
1999: Named as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year. First county cricket appearance for Lancashire
2000: Takes 300th Test wicket against South Africa.
2002: Becomes the youngest and quickest player to reach 400 Test wickets, reaching the mark in Sri Lanka's third Test against Zimbabwe, only the 72nd Test of his career.
2003: Joins county side Kent
2004: Becomes only the third man after Courtney Walsh and Shane Warne to take 500 Test wickets in Sri Lanka's second Test against Australia in Kandy.
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