The 37-year-old achieved the feat in his 224th Test innings, during his side's second Test in New Zealand.

India's Sachin Tendulkar and Australia's Ricky Ponting both needed 247 innings to surpass the mark.

Meanwhile, Kumar Sangakkara cruised past yet another century - his 38th in Tests and his third in New Zealand - and lifted Sri Lanka to a position of strength, well past New Zealand's first-innings total.

New Zealand lead the series 1-0 after an eight-wicket win in Christchurch.