Colombo, Aug 26 (IANS) New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has joined the ranks of Test cricket’s elite all-rounders, becoming the eighth player to complete the double of 300 wickets and 3,000 runs Wednesday.
Vettori began the second Test against Sri Lanka here needing two wickets to take his tally to 300.

The 30-year-old spinner claimed his 299th wicket with just his second ball of the morning, when opener Tharanga Paranavitana edged to Ross Taylor.

Kumar Sangakkara then became his 300th Test victim when he was caught by Jacob Oram after lunch.

Vettori is the second New Zealander to reach the milestone after Sir Richard Hadlee.

Other players in the list are Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Shane Warne, Shaun Pollock and Chaminda Vaas.

“It’s the proudest achievement of my career,” Vettori said.

“I suppose for a spin bowler coming from New Zealand it’s pleasing because we don’t often play on wickets that suit spin bowling.

“A lot of the times I probably haven’t played a major role,” said Vettori.

Last week, Vettori also became the game’s most prolific left arm slow bowler, eclipsing the 297-wicket haul of England’s Derek Underwood.

Vettori made his debut at Wellington against England in 1997 as New Zealand’s youngest Test player at the age of 18.