DOB: 17.4.1972 Test debut: v Australia, Colombo 1992 ODI debut: v India, Colombo 1993 Right arm off-spin bowler, right hand batsman

Fans of Shane Warne may disagree, but Muralitharan is now regarded as the most destructive spin bowler in world cricket today.

West Indian Courtney Walsh holds the record of 519 Test wickets, but Muralitharan already has 412 from 73 Tests and at his current rate of progress could well become the first bowler to reach 600 before he ends his playing days.

He has proved himself effective on every type of surface and took 16 for 220 at The Oval four years ago, when Sri Lanka beat England by 10 wickets in a one-off Test.

That remains his best performance, but he has taken 10 wickets or more in a match on six other occasions, most recently against Zimbabwe at Kandy in January.

Each ball is delivered at a different speed and trajectory, with a number of variations in the amount of spin imparted. Perhaps Murali's greatest strength, however, is his control.