DARTS' two Wizards will go head-to-head at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship on Tuesday night, when Colin Osborne meets Simon Whitlock.
The pair will do battle in one of the most eagerly-awaited first round clashes at Alexandra Palace, with a shared nickname adding extra spice to a tasty encounter.
Osborne has lifted himself to 11th in the PDC Order of Merit this year, while Australian ace Whitlock has returned to the PDC circuit after six years competing in the Lakeside Championship, where he was runner-up to Mark Webster in 2008.
Whitlock, who is based at Cessnock near Sydney and sports a distinctive pony tail and goatee beard, previously competed in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship seven years ago, and revealed: "I got the 'Wizard' name the first time I came here in 2003.
"I liked the name, so stuck with it. I have grown my hair for the last 20 or more years but I have only had the beard since I was nicknamed 'The Wizard' - I wanted to look more like a wizard!
"I did once wear a hat on stage, but I felt really stupid. Maybe my fans can wear wizard outfits and hats, that would be nice - hopefully the whole joint will be full of wizards on Tuesday!"
While Whitlock can claim to be the 'Wizard of Aus', Derby-based Osborne picked up his moniker when he joined the professional circuit in 2005.
"It was the first time that I went to a UK Open qualifier in Portsmouth and I got to the last eight," he recalls. "People saw I was Colin Osborne, thought about the 'Wizard of Oz' and it went from there - it's nice and original!
"I was aware Simon was called The Wizard too because before I started playing darts at this level I used to watch darts and knew him, but I stuck with it.
"I didn't think this day was ever going to come, or if it did then it was a good thing, but that was the last of my worries at the time."
Osborne defeated Phil Taylor to win the 2009 Championship League Darts in October and believes he is ready to challenge for the £200,000 first prize on January 3.
"I'm very confident but I'm always confident in my own ability," said Osborne. "I am the last one to beat Phil in a final and he doesn't lose very many games anyway, so it's even rarer he loses a final.
"I've won a Players Championship in Scotland since but didn't have too good a Grand Slam but I've prepared well and am focused and ready for the challenge ahead."
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Tickets for the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship are still available from SeeTickets via 0871 220 0260 or www.seetickets.com/darts.