The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : The Aussie wizard's fact-file

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Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

The Aussie wizard's fact-file

CAIRNS (Australia) July 13. Fact- file on Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne after he equalled Muttiah Muralitharan's world record of 527 Test wickets on Tuesday.

Born: 13 Sept 1969, Melbourne.

Teams: Australia, Victoria, Hampshire.

Test debut: v India, Sydney, 1992. 112 matches, 527 wickets, av 25.47. Best: 8-71.

One-day international debut: v New Zealand, Wellington, 1993. 193 matches, 291 wickets, av 25.82. Best: 5-33.

One of five players named as Wisden's cricketers of the 20th century and as controversial a player as he has been successful. Revitalised the art of leg-spin after an era dominated by pace.

As a schoolboy, concentrated on his batting but his big hands and ability to impart enormous spin on leg-breaks with unusual accuracy led to him being fast-tracked into Test cricket, aged 22.

On Test debut took 1-150 followed by 0-78 in second Test and was dropped. But on his return became a permanent part of the Australia Test team.

Bowled England's Mike Gatting with his first ball in Ashes cricket in 1993 with `Ball of the Century'.

Had career-threatening shoulder operation in 1998. Has also had finger surgery.

Relaunched his career at 1999 World Cup with 20 wickets and won man-of-the-match awards in the semifinal against South Africa and final against Pakistan.

Involved in two major controversies when claimed he was offered a bribe by Salim Malik to throw a Test in Pakistan in 1994. Later admitted receiving money from a bookmaker in Sri Lanka but said it was a gift, not a bribe. Fined and reprimanded by the Australian Cricket Board.

Shed 14kg in 2002 as part of a fitness regime and celebrated by taking 6-161 from 70 overs in the second innings of Australia's win over South Africa in Cape Town in March 2002.

Announced in January 2003 he would retire from one-day cricket following World Cup but after travelling to South Africa for the tournament it was announced he had tested positive for a banned diuretic.

Said he had taken it in a slimming pill given to him by his mother but was banned from all cricket for 12 months.

Rushed back into the Test side after one first-class match, making comeback in March 2004 in the series in Sri Lanka taking 26 wickets in three games to help Australia make a clean sweep.

Equals Muttiah Muralitharan's record of 527 Test wickets in the second Test against Sri Lanka on July 13.

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