Muttiah Muralitharan became the greatest wicket-taker in Tests as Sri Lanka inflicted the worst-ever defeat on Zimbabwe - by an innings and 240 runs - in the first cricket Test.

Mahela Jayawardene caught Tinashe Panyangara at deep mid-on in Sanath Jayasuriya's first over to complete Zimbabwe's rout for 102 in the second innings 15 minutes before tea on the third day.

Zimbabwe scored 199 in the first innings, and Sri Lanka finished its reply of 541 an hour into play at Harare Sports Club. The total was set up by captain Marvan Atapattu's 170 and Jayasuriya's 157.

Zimbabwe, which has never beaten Sri Lanka in 14 meetings, surpassed its previous heaviest defeat by an innings and 219 runs against South Africa in November 1999 at the same ground.

Offspinner Muralitharan began the day tied for the all-time Test wickets record of 519 with West Indies paceman Courtney Walsh, who retired in 2001, and had to wait until his eighth over for his 520th.

With his last ball of the eighth, he induced Mpulelo Nkala on 24 to hole out to Jayawardene at silly mid-off.

"I was quite nervous and tense out there. It took me quite a while to get it," Muralitharan said.

He ended a 45-run rescue mission by Nkala and Alester Maregwede, who came together at 5-18, then made Maregwede his 521st victim with a caught-and-bowl from the first ball of his ninth over.

But Muralitharan had to leave the field to address a finger he split in making the catch, though he returned in time to celebrate his team's victory. He took 2-37, and 8-82 for the match.

Fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa was mainly responsible for Zimbabwe's capitulation when he helped reduce the home side to 5-18 with 4-4 in five overs.

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