Shane Warne

Shane Warne (b. 1969) is now widely regarded as the best leg-spin bowler in cricket history. With 659 Test wickets - and counting - at an average of 25.15, he is not merely Australia's greatest ever wicket taker, but also the world's. His nearest rival is the Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan, who has taken 584 wickets. Warne's twelve-month drug suspension in 2003-2004 - he tested positive for a banned diuretic - ranks among the better known of his off-field transgressions. Although he officially retired from Australia's one-day team in 2003 to prolong his Test career, Warne has recently hinted that he may return to the "pyjama game" ahead of 2007's World Cup.