The greatest steps down with a smile…

Lankan Spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan is pictured here at a press briefing where he officially announced his plans of retiring from test cricket. Murali announced on Tuesday that he will retire from Test cricket after the first Test against Indiastarting in Galleon July 18.

also Champion offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan said he decided to quit international cricket at the end of the first Test against India at Galle to challenge himself to capture the eight wickets he needs to become the first bowler in cricket history to reach 800 Test wickets.

"Eight hundred wickets is just a number because I already have the world record," said Muralitharan addressing his first press conference since announcing his retirement on Tuesday. "I have taken it as a challenge to give me the motivation to take the eight wickets I need to reach that mark and also win the Test for my country. I hope we can achieve it. I have confidence that we have a good Test team and I hope we can win my farewell Test and hopefully the series."

Muralitharan was happy with the quality of spin bowlers in Sri Lanka, with Ajantha Mendis, Rangana and Suraj Randiv coming along well. "I thought the time is right to move out because we have three good spinners. I hope they also get a chance because as a youngster I got a chance to perform that's how I came to this level. They will also become good spinners in time to come."