Vettori eyes world-leading wicket mark

BLACKCAPS skipper Daniel Vettori goes into today’s second Test against Sri Lanka with one world-beating record under his belt – and another within his sights.

Vettori needs two more wickets to join an elite group of players who have achieved the double of 300 wickets and 3000 runs in Test cricket.

That milestone comes on top of Vettori’s achievement in the first Test, overhauling England's Derek Underwood as the most successful left arm spin bowler in Test history.

Ahead of today’s Test, Vettori said he was looking forward to getting the two wickets in the bag early. “It’ll be a really proud achievement,” he said

“I really hope I can get it out of the way quickly – I think there’s nothing worse than lingering round the milestones. As soon as I do knock it off it will be my proudest individual achievement in Test cricket.”

Vettori has played 93 Tests (one of those was for an ICC World XI) since making his debut in February 1997 as New Zealand’s youngest Test player – aged 18.

He will become only the eighth player to reach the 300/3000 double, joining a group of cricketing greats including Richard Hadlee, Ian Botham, Kapil Dev and Shane Warne.

Career highlights include the astonishing match bowling figures of 5 for 62 and 7 for 87 against Australia at Auckland in March 2000. His current Test bowling average is 33.52.

Vettori’s development as an all-rounder is reflected in a batting record that includes a total of 3329 runs, three Test centuries and a highest score of 137 – against Pakistan at Hamilton in December 2003.

The Colombo Test also marks a milestone for BLACKCAPS opening bowler Chris Martin, who will be appearing in his 50th Test.

More statistics from Daniel Vettori’s career at:
www.blackcaps.co.nz/archive/players.aspx