Cricket Australia today congratulated Shane Warne on becoming only the second man in history to take 500 Test wickets. The historic feat was accomplished when he dismissed Hashan Tillakaratne for 25 at Galle.

In reaching the milestone, Warne further extends his record as Australia's greatest ever wicket-taker. The Victorian is now well within sight of Courtney Walsh's world record of 519 scalps.

Throughout his 13-year career, the leg-spinner has struck with amazing regularity against all of the world's Test playing nations, with the exception of Bangladesh who he has not yet played.

After bursting onto the world scene with the now infamous Gatting dismissal, Warne's prolific feats against England have highlighted his career, the leg-spinner claiming 132 of his 500 wickets against the old foe. Least fortunate of the Englishmen has been Alec Stewart, who Warne has dismissed 14 times.

In paying tribute to the achievement, Cricket Australia Chairman Mr Bob Merriman AM praised Warne's immense contribution to the game.

"Test cricket has been played for 127 years, and in that time only one other person has taken 500 wickets," said Mr Merriman.

"As a spin bowler, to achieve such sustained success in an era of top quality batsmen is a truly monumental achievement. Shane's ability to dismiss all types of batsmen in a variety of conditions marks him as one of the greatest bowlers in cricket's history.

"Cricket Australia and the extended cricket community salute this wonderful achievement, and we wish Shane all the best in his quest for the world record," said Mr Merriman.