Statistical landmarks are becoming something of a regular occurence for Shane Warne.

Two weeks ago, during the demolition of South Africa in the 1st Test in Johannesburg, he overtook Kapil Dev to go second on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers.

With six wickets in his 99th Test, the leg-spinner had collected a remarkable 436 scalps, with only the retired Windies great Courtney Walsh ahead of him.

Now, during his 100th Test at Newlands, he has become only the ninth man in Test history to make 2,000 runs and take 200 wickets.

His 63 in Australia's first innings brought his run tally up to 2037.

The 66-ball knock, part of a blistering 132-run stand with the remarkable Adam Gilchrist, was a perfect example of how important Warne's ability with the bat has become to his team.

Australia, struggling at 185-6 after a middle-order collapse, needed Warne to steady the ship, and he duly obliged.

Warne's genius with the ball is the stuff of legend, but his batting ability is less recognised.

An average of 16 is disappointing for someone who takes his batting so seriously, but he is a more than useful member of Australia's lower-order, if not a genuine all-rounder.

That accolade remains elusivive, for now, and perhaps will do until he records his maiden Test century, but Warne has recorded some notable innings during his career.

In 1999 he hit 86 against both India and Pakistan, and then last year in the series against New Zealand he hit 70 and 99, his highest score to date.

Indeed, Warne is the only non all-rounder to have achieved the double accolade of 200 wickets and 2000 runs.

He has worked hard on developing his batting technique, and it is no coincidence that his scores have improved throughout his career.