Tim Southee Overtakes Daniel Vettori To Become Second Highest Wicket-Taker In Tests For New Zealand

Christchurch, March 9: Tim Southee on Thursday (March 9) surpassed former captain Daniel Vettori to become the second highest wicket-taker in Tests for New Zealand.

The Kiwis skipper Southee achieved the feat during day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, where he ended the day with figures of 3 for 44, reducing the visitors to 305/6 at stumps.

Southee also reached the milestone in his 93rd Test, while Vettori took 112 Tests for 361 wickets in the longest format for the Black Caps.

Southee, who began the day at 359 wickets, got rid of opener Oshada Fernando, caught behind by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell for 6 in the seventh over.

And after a fightback from the visitors, the Kiwis skipper returned to trap a dangerous looking Kusal Mendis LBW for 87 in the 27th over to go level with Vettori.

In the 58th over, the 34-year-old overtook Vettori by removing Dinesh Chandimal, caught at second slip by Tom Latham for 39. Southee is now only behind great Sir Richard Hadlee, who has claimed 431 wickets.

Top 10 Highest Wicket-Takers For New Zealand in Tests

England seem to be Southee's favourite opposition as he has taken 72 wickets against them in 19 Tests. The next favourite opponent is Sri Lanka, against whom he has 56 wickets in 10 Tests. He also has 52 wickets against India in 11 Tests.

Southee is now also the highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in international cricket. His tally stands at 706 wickets across ODI, T20I and Tests. Vettori is the second highest with 696 wickets.

Most International Wickets For New Zealand

Southee has 210 wickets in 154 One Day Internationals. He is currently the third highest wicket-taker in the 50-over format. He is only behind Vettori (297) and Kyle Mills (240) in the format. In T20Is, Southee is the highest wicket-taker for the Black Caps with 134 wickets in 107 T20Is.