Former Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has expressed concerns over the future of Test cricket as many players are focusing on short-format cricket.
"I am definitely worried about Test cricket," said Muralitharan, speaking to English newspaper Daily Mail.
"Every country will play maybe only six or seven Test matches. England and Australia might play the Ashes. But, in some other countries, not many people are watching. There will be very little Test cricket," he added.
The legendary spinner, who has the most wickets in Test history, says that he does not see anyone surpassing his record. "It's very hard [for someone to surpass 800 Test wickets] because the emphasis has shifted to short-form cricket. Also, we played for 20 years. Careers are shorter now," he said.
Among active cricketers, Nathan Lyon (530) and Ravichandran Ashwin (516) are the closest to the Sri Lankan spinner's record. But age is certainly not on their side as Lyon is 36 and Ashwin is now 37, and it is unlikely they will surpass Muralitharan in whatever time they have in international cricket.
Recently, James Anderson retired with 704 scalps, the third-highest wicket-taker in Test history.
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