It's really special for me, says Vettori

The next most successful left-arm spinner is England's Derek Underwood with 297 wickets.

All-rounder Vettori also became the eighth Test player to take 300 wickets and score 3,000 runs.

"It's nice to reflect on it and achieve something like this," the 30-year-old told reporters. "It's really special for me after all these years.

"Being a frontline spinner is important to me but it is difficult as a spin bowler with the nature of our conditions back home so I think I've had a pretty good career."

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan led the tributes for Vettori.
"This is a huge honour for Dan, he can be rightfully proud of his record as a pre-eminent Test cricketer," Vaughan said.

"To have achieved to the standard of players of the calibre of (Shaun) Pollock, (Ian) Botham and (Imran) Khan ... speaks volumes for Dan's ability with ball and bat."
“He has been a hugely improved player over the last 4-5 years.”

Vettori made his Test debut at 18, the youngest player to represent New Zealand.