Cricket: Vettori joins elite club as Black Caps toil

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COLOMBO - Daniel Vettori expressed pride in joining a select group of cricketing greats yesterday as he became the only the eighth cricketer to take 300 wickets and score 3000 runs in tests.

The New Zealand captain gained his achievement when he dismissed counterpart Kumar Sangakkara part way through the second test's opening day at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

Sangakkara's time at the crease was cut short when he was caught in the deep by Jacob Oram.

Vettori, who debuted as New Zealand's youngest test cricketer at age 18, revealed the most satisfying aspect of his latest landmark was the company he now keeps.

"That's probably the more pleasing thing, reaching a group like that and seeing the names that pop up there, particularly the four great allrounders of the 80s."

Sir Richard Hadlee, Sir Ian Botham, Kapil Dev and Imran Khan are the famous four Vettori referred to while Shane Warne, Shaun Pollock and Chaminda Vaas are the more recent additions.

"It's a group that always been quite exclusive so to think you're one of only eight in the history of the game is something that I cherish."

Vettori would also have cherished the securing of another two wickets by stumps, namely Sri Lanka's last specialist batsmen Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera.

By reducing Sri Lanka to 115 for three in the middle session Vettori was not alone in feeling proud of his efforts.

But at the close of play Sri Lanka were ominously placed at 262 for three with Jayawardene and Samaraweera threatening to replicate the first innings hundreds posted last week in Galle.

Jayawardene was unbeaten on 79, the result of 271 minutes labour in sticky conditions. Samaraweera was a run behind - and now just seven short of racking up 1000 for the calendar year, a true indication of a class batsman.

Even Vettori's frugal toil barely taxed the duo as they added 147 for the fourth wicket, a partnership that required separating as soon as possible when play resumes (4.30pmNZT).

"We acknowledge the batsman to come aren't the quality of the front five," said Vettori, stressing the end for an early breakthrough to expose the lower order.

While it was uncomfortable viewing for Vettori as Jayawardene and Samaraweera went about blunting New Zealand's attack, Vettori hoped it would be beneficial for his batsmen.

"They gave another lesson on how to bat on wickets like this, they showed an immense amount of patience.

"I hope our batsmen take a leaf out of their book when they get a chance."

Ideally New Zealand will be mounting a response after lunch though Jayawardene and Samaraweera look intent on the long haul.

Sangakkara might have perished when trying to knock Vettori off kilter by way of boundaries; Jayawardene was in no mood to waste another run-laden opportunity on his home ground.

The former captain has registered nine of his 26 hundreds at the SSC; in 21 previous tests he amassed 2179 runs at 75.13 so the stylish right hander has already bettered his average.

"It just looks very easy for him," Vettori said.

"The good thing about him is he doesn't take any risks. When you get on a wicket like this the quality batsmen know they have to make runs.

"You almost sense from him that he wants to come out and score a hundred."

Jayawardene made a chanceless century in Galle though in a potentially encouraging sign for New Zealand his 114 ended early on day two courtesy of an strangely loose waft to the slips cordon.

Vettori, who can expect another heavy workload as Sri Lanka eye a total well in excess of 400, has two for 65 so far and was not the only bowler to reflect positively on yesterday's endeavours.

Iain O'Brien tightened his economy rate considerably and claimed Tillakaratne Dilshan for a second time in the series and at significantly less cost.

Oram also tied up an end with his medium pacers, his 18 overs for 45 included six maidens while Chris Martin was also miserly as he seeks a wicket to celebrate his 50th test.

- NZPA