New Zealand v S Africa, 2nd Test, Auckland, 5th day

Cairns joins exclusive club

Wisden Cricinfo staff

March 22, 2004

Chris Cairns celebrates wicket No. 200 © Touchline

For Chris Cairns, New Zealand's defeat of South Africa at Auckland was a double triumph. Not only was it New Zealand's first win over South Africa at home since they first met in 1931-32 - and only their fourth in 29 Tests overall - but he became only the sixth man to achieve an allrounder's double of 200 wickets and 3000 runs.

"It's starting to sink in," Cairns admitted. "When people start talking to you about people such as Sobers, Imran, Hadlee, Kapil Dev and - my favourite - Botham, it can all get quite surreal really, but it just feels fantastic." Cairns reached both milestones at Auckland, with a career-best 158 and four wickets in the match.

"Dad [the former NZ allrounder Lance] left a message on my phone on Sunday night. He's pretty stoked," Cairns said. "As much as he's a proud father, he's also a proud New Zealand cricket supporter and it's great to have his support. He's been the greatest influence on my career."

Sir Richard Hadlee, the first New Zealander to reach the landmark, said that he was delighted for Cairns. "I got a real kick out of Chris achieving that mark, absolutely. To see two New Zealanders in the top six, something no other country has been able to achieve, is just quite extraordinary."

Shaun Pollock could reach the milestone himself in the final Test. He has already taken 334 wickets and now needs 102 runs to reach 3000.

© Cricinfo

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