Vettori reaches landmark with 300-wicket in Test cricket

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has become only the eighth player and the second from New Zealand to achieve 300 wickets and 3000 runs in Test cricket. Vettori took his 300th wicket in the afternoon session on day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka, at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo.

Vettori, playing his 94th test, secured the two wickets he required when dismissing struggling opener Tharanga Paranavitana – who edged the bowler's second ball of the day to Ross Taylor in the slips, and then removing opposing skipper Kumar Sangakkara - who attempted a sweep from outside the off stump but succeeded only in lofting the ball straight to Jacob Oram at mid-wicket.

Vettori, 30, now joins the company of cricketing greats Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, fellow Kiwi Richard Hadlee, Imran Khan, Shane Warne, Shaun Pollock and Chaminda Vaas as the only players to achieve the double of 300 wickets and 3000 runs.

New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive Justin Vaughan - who was at the SSC ground to watch Vettori's success - congratulated the captain on an outstanding achievement. "This is a huge honour for Dan - he can be rightfully proud of his record as a preeminent 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.” he added.

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

Vettori – who made his debut at the age of 18 in 1997, picked up his first test wicket of former England captain Nasser Hussain, caught by Bryan Young while his career highlights include a match analysis of 12 for 149 against Australia at Eden Park in March 2000.

His best bowling innings to date is a haul of 7 for 87 against Australia at Auckland in March 2000 - a match in which also he took his top match figures of 12 for 149. He has achieved 18 five-wicket innings, and three 10-wicket match returns. His current Test bowling average is 33.52.

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Vettori and Moles in New Zealand's selection panel

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori and coach Andy Moles have been appointed to the national selection panel after existing selector Dion Nash stepped down due to personal commitments. Justin Vaughan, the New Zealand Cricket chief executive, said the new make-up of the panel was "innovative but consistent" with the way the board had been operating. However Vettori's role in the panel depends on his position as captain.

Captains and coaches are consulted in other countries when it comes to selections - and most attend selection meetings - but this is perhaps the first time they have officially been appointed national selectors. Interestingly when Moles first took over from John Bracewell he had wished to not be involved in the selection process. However, just after India's tour of New Zealand, he said he wanted to be on the panel to make sure "my views and the captain's views are taken into consideration so we get the balanced side to win games of cricket".

Vaughan said after the new appointment: "Andy and Dan see and work with our leading players constantly, and are directly accountable for team performance. Therefore we believe it is important they have a formal input into the selection process. Both captain and coach currently form our 'on-tour' selection panel, who select teams when the Blackcaps are playing."

Vaughan said in many countries captains already had a big role in selection of teams but New Zealand Cricket wanted to go a step ahead and give him formal responsibility. "Daniel is a strong and very able leader. He has vast international experience, and is absolutely committed to driving the team to improved performance. New Zealand Cricket has complete trust and confidence in Daniel Vettori being up to the task and we are convinced the team will benefit as a consequence."

Vettori and Moles join Glenn Turner, Mark Greatbatch and John Wright in the selection panel. Greatbatch, who was a non-voting advisor, will take on selection duties with Turner while Wright, on the shortlist for Kolkata Knight Riders' coaching job, will be the non-voting advisor and concentrate on his work as the highperformance coach.

Vaughan said Turner's objective analysis of players was a tremendous asset while Greatbatch had shown great commitment since becoming involved with the panel and brought a well-considered approach to players.
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