Muttiah Muralitharan's imminent comeback from controversy and injury promises to light up international cricket in the new year as he resumes battle with Shane Warne for the mantle of the game's greatest spinner.
The 32-year-old Sri Lankan was the world's leading wicket-taker with 532 scalps till a shoulder surgery in August sidelined him for the rest of the year and allowed Warne, 35, to usurp the record on the tour of India in October.
Muralitharan, cleared to play by his doctors and the International Cricket Council (ICC) following a review of his bowling action, is expected to spearhead Sri Lanka's attack during the two Tests in New Zealand in January.
Warne, who had a 20-wicket advantage going into Australia's three-Test home series against Pakistan, will be looking over his shoulder as the off-spinner returns to his prolific wicket-taking ways.
By the end of the year, Muralitharan may well regain the record. Among Sri Lanka's Test engagements in 2005 is a series against cricket's favourite whipping boys from Bangladesh.
Warne knows he is fighting a losing battle.
{{/usCountry}}Warne knows he is fighting a losing battle.
{{/usCountry}}"Murali is bound to overtake me sooner or later," the blond leg-spinner said in a recent interview. "But at least I've got the opportunity to say I was the world record holder."
Muralitharan can befuddle batsmen even on a glasstop. He has taken five wickets in an innings 44 times and 10 wickets in a Test on 13 occasions. Both feats remain unmatched in the history of the game.
The Sri Lankan's 532 wickets came in 91 Tests. Warne needed 114 matches to overtake that record.