Vettori proud of landmark

Black Caps skipper delighted to join elite band of players

Last updated: 27th August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Vettori proud of landmark

Vettori: celebrates taking his 300th Test wicket

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New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori admits it is an honour to have joined the elite band of cricketers to taken 300 Test wickets and scored 3,000 Test runs.

Vettori achieved the landmark when he had opposite number Kumar Sangakkara caught by Jacob Oram to bring up wicket number 300 on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

The 30-year-old becomes only the eighth player to reach the milestone and in doing so is now brushing shoulders with Sir Richard Hadlee, Sir Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Shane Warne, Shaun Pollock and Chaminda Vaas.

A delighted Vettori stated: "That's probably the more pleasing thing, reaching a group like that and seeing the names that pop up there, particularly the four great all-rounders of the 80s (Hadlee, Botham, Dev and Khan).

"It's a group that has always been quite exclusive so to think you're one of only eight in the history of the game is something that I cherish."

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan was on hand to witness Vettori's historic moment in person and led the tributes to the spinner afterwards.

"This is a huge honour for Dan," Vaughan declared. "He can be rightfully proud of his record as a pre-eminent Test cricketer.

"He is recognised as one of the most skilful left-arm spinners on the international stage during recent times and has proven himself as a resourceful batsman many times over.

"Dan is also an exceptional leader and one of the most intelligent and considered captains in the game.

"To have achieved to the standard of players of the calibre of Pollock, Botham and Khan, for example, speaks volumes for Dan's ability with both ball and bat.

"It's also an honour for New Zealand to be the only country with two players in that illustrious club."