The controversial off-spinner smashed affectionately known as Murali through Courtney Walsh's old record of 519 victims here on Saturday as Sri Lanka crushed Zimbabwe in the first Test by an innings and 240 runs.

The controversial spinner affectionately known as Murali smashed through Courtney Walsh's old record of 519 victims in Harare Saturday as Sri Lanka crushed Zimbabwe in the first Test by an innings and 240 runs.

He finished the game with match figures of 8-92 to take his career tally to 521.

"The World Cup was something different," said the 32-year-old. "You can't forget that. It was tremendous. It is bigger than my individual performance here.

"The world record still means a lot to me and for Sri Lanka. We are a small country unlike Australia or India and performances like this help to give the country a good image," he said.

"It will also encourage a lot of youngsters to take to the game and one day perform at this level. They will want to be like me or some of the other cricketers, to become world champions for the country."

Murali's moment of history came when Mahela Jayawardene caught Mluleki Nkala at silly point but the spinner was keen to praise the efforts of his teammates.

"I was thankful it was over," he admitted. "I said to myself it's gone now I can relax. Then off the next ball I got another wicket. I was so anxious that I wasn't putting the ball in the right place. My teammates said to put the ball in the right place and it will come. Eventually it came in the eighth over."

Muralitharan revealed that he owed a great debt to pace bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa who had reduced the home side to 18-5 at one stage before pleading with skipper Marvan Atapattu to give him the ball.

"It was wonderful getting the record," said Muralitharan who had pulled level with Walsh's 519 after the first innings here.

"I was a bit nervous when I was on 519 because wickets were falling. I have to thank Chaminda and Marvan for helping me get to the record. Vaas was bowling brilliantly at one end and had he continued the game would have been over.

"But he told the captain to stop him and give me the bowling to get to that one wicket. It was all a team game."

He said his best Test performance came in 1998 when he took 16 for 221 against England at The Oval and that former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga had been a pivotal influence.

"Arjuna guided me throughout my career for an eight-year period till 1999. He stood by me when I was in trouble with my bowling action twice, which got him into trouble," said Muralitharan.

"He is the most meaningful person in my career. Others have also helped me, but Ranatunga deserves a special place."

His record-breaking achievement was witnessed by just 400 spectators at the Harare Sports Club but Muralitharan refused to be drawn into the controversy over the make-up of the Zimbabwe team which contained five new caps after former skipper Heath Streak and his fellow white rebels refused to play.

"Zimbabwe has played the best available team they could have put out," said Muralitharan who will be looking to add to the tally when the second and final Test starts in Bulawayo on Friday.

He also knows his record may not stand for long.

Australia tour here later this month with leg-spin legend Shane Warne, already with 517 wickets, set to surpass the Sri Lankan.