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World longest duck record holder Geoff Allott is involved in an intriguing contest, whether he will collect 100 wickets or 100 runs first in first-class cricket.

Since he made his first-class debut for Canterbury in 1994-95, Allott has scored runs at No. 11 at about the same rate he has collected wickets, his primary role as a new-ball strike bowler.

After the drawn first test between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Park which ended yesterday, Allott had taken 87 first-class wickets and scored 83 runs.

Allott added a fourth duck to his test tally in seven matches, while batting for a world record 101 minutes for 0 in the Black Caps' first innings.

``There is a bit of a standing joke about my runs and wickets with the boys,'' Allott said.

In a nice touch, appreciated by the affable Allott, the scorers yesterday presented him with a copy of his 'run' chart, featuring the world marks he broke along the way and balls from bowlers faced, to preserve for posterity.

The last cricketer to be involved in a similar battle was Wellington and New Zealand pace bowler and notable tailender Ewen Chatfield.