"It's great to be among the wickets in the first innings of a series and I'm sure of bowling even better in the days ahead," Muralitharan said after tormenting the visiting side in the opening Test of a three-match series.

"We should have batted better, but I think we have a good chance bowling last in the Test. I did my best and am now looking forward to have a go in the second innings."

Muralitharan, however, disagreed with the view that his team's fortunes depended on him.

"Spinners (Kumar) Dharmasena and (Upul) Chandana too have been bowling well and it is just that I had a good match," said a modest Muralitharan, who took his wickets tally to 466 in his 83rd Test.

The 31-year-old Thursday took his 39th haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings in what was his best effort at the venue.

"I've always enjoyed bowling at Galle and have quite a few five-fors to show for here. The pitch has remained more or less same over the years," said Muralitharan.

The prolific bowler was also happy with his away-going delivery, which tied the English batsmen in knots here.

"I've worked hard on that ball over the years and particularly in the past five or six months when we did not play any international cricket. It seems to be working fine," he said.

Muralitharan felt the English batting line-up here was not as strong as in the preceding two series between the two teams, both won by England.

"The presence of players like Nasser Hussain made a difference and others like Graham Thorpe too were in better form then."

Thorpe is playing in the Test but Hussain had to withdraw at the last moment because of a viral infection.

Hussain had led England in both their series win over Sri Lanka.

England came back from a Test down to beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in Sri Lanka two years ago and beat them 2-0 at home last year.