GALLE, March 12: Shane Warne sealed a triumphant comeback to international cricket by becoming the first spin bowler to take 500 Test wickets as Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 197 runs on Friday.

Warne, playing in his first Test since returning last month from a one-year ban for failing a drug test, was mobbed by team-mates after claiming the scalp of Sri Lanka skipper Hashan Tillakaratne to reach the milestone.

The 34-year-old legend finished the match with figures of 10-159 as Sri Lanka collapsed to 154 all out in their second innings after the Australians had earlier declared on 512-8.

Warne ended the game with 501 Test victims, with only retired West Indian bowler Courtney Walsh standing ahead of him on the all-time wicket-taking standings with 519.

"It's a very big achievement for myself," said Warne.

"It is unbelieveable after those 12 months to get back to where I am today. The day is dedicated to my family and friends. I am pretty happy to get 10 wickets in my first game.

"The way I bowled in this match I think I am getting better and better and getting 500 is a bonus. I am happy the way I came out to do what I did today. It was a fantastic Test match victory."

Australia's victory was based on a superb all-round effort, hundreds from Matthew Hayden, Darren Lehmann and Damien Martyn helping the tourists nullify Sri Lanka's first innings lead of 161.

Hayden's contribution, a magical 130 plus a record-equalling seven catches - the most in a Test by a non-wicketkeeper - helped earn him the man-of-the-match accolade. But it was Warne who was centre of attention Friday and his performance was doubly sweet as it saw him pip Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan to the magic number of 500.

Muralitharan now has 496 wickets to his name as the two spinners prepare to do battle in the second and third Tests in Kandy and Colombo.

The writing was put on the wall for Sri Lanka in the morning session after they started the day from an overnight total of 3-0.

Kumar Sangakkara was first to fall, out lbw to seamer Michael Kasprowicz for seven in the third over.

Warne then bagged his first of the day, Marvan Atapattu edging to Hayden in the slips for 16. Warne struck again in his next over, trapping first innings century-maker Tillakaratne Dilshan for six.

Two more wickets in the space of three balls left Sri Lanka reeling at 56-5. Warne took his 499th career wicket as Mahela Jayawardene fell for 21 before Stuart MacGill claimed Sanath Jayasuriya for five.

Lurching into the interval at 85 for five, the writing was on the wall for Sri Lanka.

They were quickly on the back foot in the afternoon session, MacGill bowling Thilan Samaraweera for 15 before Warne earned his place in the history books.

A lofted sweep from Tillakaratne fell kindly to Andrew Symonds at mid-wicket to the delight of Warne.

Upul Chandana dug in stubbornly for a fighting 43 which included seven boundaries but the end was nigh for the home team.

Chandana's removal, caught by Justin Langer off MacGill, was the start of a mini-collapse, the final three wickets falling for three wickets in successive overs for just one run.

Warne had Kumar Dharmasena caught by Hayden and Australia's victory was complete when MacGill had Muralitharan stumped for a duck.

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