Knee injury sends Jacob Oram home

Jacob Oram is set to miss the remainder of the tri-series in Sri Lanka due to the recurrence of a tendon injury in the knee that has affected his bowling. Oram had received intensive treatment to get through the series but the injury has not responded and he is headed home for further assessment.

New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch said the injury's severity was not yet clear. "Jake had done everything possible to try and get ready for the remaining matches in the tri-series but had insufficient time to get fully fit. At this stage it is unclear how severe the injury is and he will return to New Zealand for further assessment and rehabilitation."

Oram's injury has also put in doubt his participation for Central Districts in September's Champions League. "Jacob's knee has been troublesome for some time. He's been having niggles on and off with it for a reasonable period of time," said Alan Hunt, the Central Districts coach.

"It has clearly flared up again in the last couple of days in Sri Lanka and they've tried to treat it there without any success. No doubt they've done everything they can to improve the situation but found they'd better get him back here for a medical opinion and some rehabilitation, thinking long-term towards the World Cup in February and March," he said.

Oram's career has been blighted by injuries, forcing an early retirement from Test cricket in October 2009. His participation in the shorter formats has remained sporadic, and he was forced to miss this year's IPL before returning to the national side for the World Twenty20. He bowled in two of New Zealand's first three league games in Sri Lanka before the latest flare-up.