By RICHARD BOOCK
After performing all manner of record-breaking feats with the ball, Daniel Vettori may need to produce something special with the bat at Eden Park today if New Zealand are to win their cricket test against Australia.
The New Zealand left-armer gave his side an outside chance of a win yesterday, after taking seven for 87 in Australia's second innings.
In the process, he became the youngest spinner to take 100 test wickets and the 10th New Zealander to achieve the milestone.
Vettori, whose match figures of 12 for 149 are second only to Richard Hadlee's 15 for 123 - also against Australia - in New Zealand bowling, helped wrap up the tourists' second innings at 229 yesterday, but then watched as his side lost five wickets for 151 runs in their pursuit of a winning 281.
The 21-year-old played his first test at the age of 18 years and 10 days in the 1996-97 season. He has now displaced Pakistan's Saqlain Mushtaq as the youngest spin bowler to take 100 test wickets, and John Bracewell as New Zealand's most successful test spinner.
He took five for 62 in the first innings of this test, and reached the 100-wicket mark when he bowled Damien Martyn yesterday, ending the day with 103 wickets - one more than Bracewell.
Vettori,playing his 29th test, said: "I'd love to see that 200 mark come up some time.
"But my main goal is to play 100 tests, and I think if you play for that long the wickets will just come."
Vettori's appetite for wickets over the past year is such that at the end of last summer's home series against India, he had 54 wickets while his New Zealand team-mate Simon Doull had 95.
In the space of about 14 months, the injury-plagued Doull added two more wickets to his tally, while Vettori claimed a further 49.
Vettori's father, Renzo, missed the big moment. He had to go back to work in Hamilton when his son had 99 scalps.
"Daniel said to me that it would have been nice if I could have been there for the hundred - but I've seen plenty of other milestones, and I'll probably see some more."
Mr Vettori said the family were delighted with Daniel's latest achievement.
"What my wife and I are most proud of is the way he handles himself. He's got a lot of cricketing ability, but he's a nice guy with it.
"I know he's happy with achieving what he's done, but I'm sure he'd be much happier if New Zealand go on to win."
Nice one, Dan! Now bat us a win
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