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Message: <blockquote data-quote="chandikagunawardhana" data-source="post: 5367764" data-attributes="member: 11539">Murali closes in on another recordMuttiah Muralitharan is only four wickets away from 100 Test scalps in Galle, the third venue where he would have achieved such a landmarkNew Zealand start the two-Test series in Sri Lanka as clear underdogs, not only because of the hosts' awesome record at home, but also as a result of their own recent struggles in Test cricket. In their last 20 Tests against opposition other than Zimbabwe and Bangladesh - a period spanning more than three years - New Zealand have won only two matches, against Sri Lanka in Christchurch in 2006, and England in Hamilton last year. Their overseas record against the top eight Test teams is even worse - since 2000, they've only won one Test out of 28, against West Indies in Bridgetown in 2002. During this period they've lost 16 matches.New Zealand have an overall advantage in their head-to-head record against Sri Lanka - nine wins and five losses - but four of those victories came in the 1980s, when Sri Lanka were still finding their way in international cricket. Since then, both teams have won five matches each, but New Zealand have won only one out of seven in Sri Lanka since 1990.</blockquote>

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