Cricket: Cairns takes 200th wicket to join allrounder's club

12.05pm

Chris Cairns became the second New Zealand bowler to take 200 test wickets and joined the exclusive world allrounder's club as the Black Caps closed in on victory over South Africa in Auckland today.

Cairns had Nicky Boje caught behind by Brendon McCullum for 24 as South Africa reached 327 for eight in their second innings early on day five of the second test.

It gave them an overall lead of 28 just before the lunch break.

Cairns' 200th wicket in his 58th test saw him join Sir Garfield Sobers, Ian Botham, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev and compatriot Sir Richard Hadlee in the 3000-run, 200-wicket club.

Cairns reached 3000 runs on Saturday with his innings of 158.

South Africa's Shaun Pollock is on the verge of becoming the seventh member although he was dismissed for 10 by Chris Martin today, leaving him on 2898 runs to go with his 334 wickets.

Martin removed Pollock to a slips catch by Stephen Fleming in the day's fourth over, his 11th delivery of the day.

It gave Martin 11 wickets for the match, for the best New Zealand bowling performance in a test against South Africa and becoming one of just eight New Zealand bowlers to take 11 or more test wickets in a match.

- NZPA