This is my biggest moment, says Murali

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The controversial spinner is destined to become the world's highest wicket taker in both Test and one-day cricket but believes a part in repeating Sri Lanka's success of 1996 would top anything.

Scroll down to read more:

Cup king: Murali beat the Aussies in 1996

He is one of five survivors from the match 11 years ago that catapulted the islanders into the major league when they beat Australia by seven wickets.

"This could be the biggest moment of my life," said Murali.

"In 1996 I was young and didn't know much about it. But now I'm 35 and know what it takes to win a World Cup."

Murali, a Tamil, also expressed the hope that victory could help unite a nation which is again teetering towards civil war.

"It helps the country more than anything else," he said. "We have had a bad political situation going on and this would help us achieve something different."

Chaminda Vaas, Sanath Jayasuriya, Ricky Ponting — kept waiting an hour for the photocall with the trophy by Mahela Jayawardene on Thursday night — and Glenn McGrath, who retires after today's match, are the other survivors from 1996.

The variety offered by Murali, left-armer Vaas and the unusual flat trajectory of Lasith Malinga could be the key to breaking down Australia's batting.