Covering a Test series in Zimbabwe provided little enthusiasm for a journalist. It was known that the series was going to be terribly one-sided, a boring series with three day Test matches and travelling between just two cities, the capital Harare and Bulawayo.

Nevertheless, ‘The Island’ decided to cover the series right from the start for one reason; Muttiah Muralitharan required just eight more wickets to break Courtney Walsh’s world record for the most number of wickets.

The full coverage of the series was possible as Singer Sri Lanka came forward to sponsor our coverage.

Getting into Zimbabwe wasn’t all that easy. First, we were told that the visa would be provided on arrival, but in Johannesburg, when we had our transit, we were told by the South African emigration officers that we wouldn’t be allowed to get on the plane to Harare without a visa. Convincing the South African officials took quite an effort and finally, after proving our credentials, we headed for Harare, where our visa was issued on arrival.

For a journalist, getting into Zimbabwe had several restrictions. We had to register ourselves at the Information Department and we had to pay a fantastic sum of US$ 750 to be provided with media accreditation.

After being accredited, we attended a media briefing at the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, which functions at the Harare Sports Club ground, the venue for the first Test, adjoining the residence of President Robert Mugabe. We had heard and read through British and Australian media of the difficulties and harassment that people had to go through while going past Mr. Mugabe’s residence. But for a Sri Lankan, this was not difficult. It was like passing through the Sri Lankan Parliament on any given day. The usual check-ups were there and questions were asked and the security personnel would let you go, once they were convinced.

We had expected a one-sided series, but soon realised it was going to be a no-contest as a rift between Zimbabwe’s white players and the cricket board was not resolved on time and the Sri Lankans were forced to play a complete young side under a new captain - Tatenda Taibu and the Zimbabweans named six debutants for the opening Test.

The first Test got underway on May 6 and Marvan Atapattu in his first Test as captain, put the opposition in and the tourists bowled out Zimbabwe for 199 and replied with 541 all out with Atapattu (170) and Sanath Jayasuriya (157), scoring big hundreds and added 281 runs for the first wicket. None of the other Sri Lankan batters managed 50 runs.

Sri Lanka were bowled out on the third morning and Muralitharan required two more wickets to break the record. Quite a few Sri Lankan supporters from Bulawayo and neighboring countries like Zambia, South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania had gathered to see the historical moment, but it looked like all their hopes had been dashed as Nuwan Zoysa claimed five wickets as Zimbabwe were reduced to 18 for five with Zoysa accounting for three of those wickets.

The moment arrived for Murali just after lunch at 1:51 pm local time, as he claimed his 520th victim, going past Walsh as Zimbabwe crashed to an innings defeat inside three days.

His record breaking victim was Mluleki Nkala, Zimbabwe’s top-scorer with 24 runs and the batsman was snapped up by a diving Mahela Jayawardene at silly mid-off.

Following the series, a self imposed boycott of Australia and injuries enabled Shane Warne to overtake Murali’s record, but the Sri Lankan had the last laugh as he overtook the Australian against England in Kandy, last year.