Vettori expresses pride after joining the 300 club by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	DL Vettori
Event:	New Zealand in Sri Lanka 2009

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DateLine: 27th August 2009

 

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori expressed pride at joining an elite group of cricketers after claiming his 300th Test scalp.

 

When the New Zealand captain had his opposite number Kumar Sangakkara caught in the deep by Jacob Oram, on day one of the ongoing second Test in Colombo, he became only one of eight players to have reached the 300 wicket/3,000 Test runs milestone, joining Sir Richard Hadlee, Sir Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Shane Warne, Shaun Pollock and Chaminda Vaas.

 

"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)," he told reporters.

 

"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 at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground to see the 30-year-old skipper join the elite club and follow in the footsteps of New Zealand great Hadlee.

 

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

 

"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."