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Tim Cahill is on course to be voted Australia’s greatest athlete of the past 25 years, currently beating cricketing legend Shane Warne to the prize.

Australian news outlet Fox Sports launched the search to find out its nation’s greatest sportsperson throughout the past quarter of a century, with such luminaries as Olympic champions Ian Thorpe and Cathy Freeman, dual Rugby World Cup winner John Eales, Tour de France winner Cadel Evans and former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt.

But it is Cahill and Warne who are out in the lead, with the former Everton FC midfielder leading.

Fox Sports describe him: “A relatively late bloomer who has cultivated every ounce of his freakish talent through hard work to achieve some truly remarkable things. Scoring at THREE World Cups says it all. Has never let down any team he’s played for, especially his country.”

Cahill is both a Blues and Socceroos legend after eight years at Goodison Park and 11 – and counting – at international level.

IN PICS: Tim Cahill's Everton career

Including his three World Cup goals, the 35-year-old has scored 39 times in 83 appearances for Australia, winning the Asian Cup in 2015.

The Sydney-born star is now playing in China with Shanghai Shenhua after two years with New York Red Bulls.

His presence at the top may come as a surprise to many, however, given Warne is considered one of the greatest bowlers in the sport’s history, taking 708 Test match wickets – a record until 2007.

Warne was also voted best cricketer by Wisden in 1997, 2004 and 2005, while a panel of experts named him one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Century.

But for now, the Australian public have spoken – although voting remains open.

If Blues want to vote for Cahill - and why wouldn't you? - click here.