Absence makes the need grow stronger

Arms aloft: Jacob Oram's 133 at Centurion Park marked an impressive return to the Test scene after 18 months © Getty Images

The imposing figure of Jacob Oram would not be out of place lining up for the All Blacks instead of the Black Caps, but the cricket team is mighty relieved to have him - or more pertinently to have him back. After being sidelined for 18 months with a back injury, he marked his return with a career-best 133 at Centurion Park, a reminder of the destructive ability that brings an added dimension to New Zealand's Test team.

It was his first Test since playing against Australia, at Adelaide, in November 2004 and what a way to mark a comeback. He walked in at 38 for 4, with the ball jumping and skidding, and proceeded to produce a stunning century which will be remembered for some awesome striking of the ball. After the innings he said: "I never felt comfortable at all, and I didn't feel as good as I would have liked technically." There did not seem an awful lot wrong, however, as he was launching the South African bowlers all around the Highveld, leaving most of them with a severe case of neck-ache.

Oram has history when it comes to facing South Africa. During the series in New Zealand in 2003-04 he reached his first Test century at Hamilton, and added 90 for good measure in the second Test at Auckland, which helped to set up one of New Zealand's best victories since their triumph at The Oval in 1999.

He built on the success of that series when he crossed the Tasman for the clashes against Australia in 2004-05. It was in the first Test, at Brisbane, when he really announced himself to the cricketing world by producing an innings that could have set up his career - had it not been for his subsequent back injuries. His unbeaten 126 lifted New Zealand from 138 for 5 to 353. History will record a thumping innings win for Australia, as Michael Clarke, Adam Gilchrist and even Glenn McGrath filled their boots, but on a personal level it was a huge innings for Oram.

With such a powerful cricketer developing it would have been easy to try and push him through the injuries, much as England did to Andrew Flintoff in 2003. However, New Zealand realised they had a special talent - something they also know of Shane Bond but seldom see on the pitch - and were determined not to bring Oram back to the demands of Test cricket until he was ready, even though the side was crying out for his match-turning potential.

His bowling is good, but may have to give way as his batting is so important to New Zealand © Getty Images

Since his debut in 2002-03, the groundwork has been laid for him to take over from Chris Cairns as New Zealand's key allrounder. The two overlapped for a period and when Cairns retired from Tests following the tour of England in 2004, Oram was beginning to hit his straps. But he has played just five of New Zealand's 14 Tests since Cairns' retirement. The signs are he is keen to make up for lost time.

There are some big opportunities on the horizon, especially in the one-day arena where New Zealand's Test deficiencies are masked and they have a more than respectable record. The Champions Trophy in October - which New Zealand won under its former title the ICC Knockout in 2000 - is followed by the World Cup next March. Oram has an interesting one-day record; a batting average of under 20, but a bowling average under 30, whereas his Test career is the opposite - averaging over 40 with the bat and more than 35 with the ball.

Such is his ability with the bat, that there may come a time when his bowling has to give way for the greater good of his country. New Zealand are not blessed with outstanding batting talent; Stephen Fleming has played 100 Tests for just eight centuries, Oram has three in 18. A batting-only Oram in the top-order is preferable to an injured one sitting on the sidelines or one whose ability is diminished.

It is not just his batting and bowling that Oram brings to the team, but his presence, which immediately gives the side a more threatening appearance. New Zealand are not easily cowered into a corner, the likes of Fleming and Brendon McCullum can easily give as good as they get, but Oram's aura and ability to swing a match is a rare commodity.

He rarely gets the acclaim of a Flintoff, Jacques Kallis or Gilchrist because, as they showed at Centurion this week, New Zealand don't have the depth to build on his efforts. But that is no fault of Oram. Those broad shoulders, which would serve him proud in any front row, are going to carry a huge weight of expectation as New Zealand strive for future success.

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