The Kiwi captain, a veteran of 94 Tests, reached the landmark by dismissing Kumar Sangakkara for 50 on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka.

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 after Sri Lanka closed on 262 for three. “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.”

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

SRI LANKA first innings:
T. Paranavitana c Taylor b Vettori 19

T. Dilshan c & b O’Brien 29

K. Sangakkara c Oram b Vettori 50

M. Jayawardene not out 79

T. Samaraweera not out 78

Extras: (4-lb, 1-nb, 2-b) 7

Total (three wickets; 90 overs) 262

Fall of wickets: 1-34 2-75 3-115

To bat: C. Kapugedera, P. Jayawardene, D. Prasad, R. Herath, M. Muralitharan, T. Thushara

Bowling (to date): Martin 14-2-45-0, O’Brien 16-3-52-1, Vettori 30-11-65-2 (1-nb), Oram 18-6-45-0, Patel 9-1-32-0, Ryder 3-1-17-0

New Zealand: Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (captain), Jeetan Patel, Iain O’Brien, Chris Martin