Carve it like Cairns

Handing someone an identity based on that of a predecessor is unfair, but Jacob Oram could easily belong to the Cairns clan. A rugged physique, wavy on top and an ability to muscle sixes were characteristics of both Lance and Chris Cairns, and Oram showed off the same qualities as he rescued New Zealand with a mature century.

Chris Cairns walked out of Test cricket in England during the winter after 62 matches, leaving large openings with bat and ball. Oram is a gigantic 26-year-old allrounder with a still-growing reputation. Chosen to captain the touring side against New South Wales, he is someone to get excited about.

Three sixes iced his innings as he celebrated his second hundred in his 16th Test. Two came off consecutive Michael Kasprowicz deliveries, while his pull over midwicket from Jason Gillespie was pure power. While they were blows that either Cairns could have claimed, Oram's innings was more important for its poise than its power. "Circumstances dictated [the hitting]," he said. "Chris Cairns would have hit from ball one. Cairns is just an explosive player and can blow a game open in a session: as you saw with me it took about three sessions. I don't see myself as a natural hitter."

Like his first century against South Africa last summer, Oram arrived at 5 for 138 with New Zealand in need of a push. Although they fulfilled their promise to take time over their runs, the batsmen's inability to convert starts threatened to result in a small total. With Oram in charge he started steadily and steered them to a dreamy position with the help of an obliging tail.

Twice before he had been stuck in the nineties, and the same was expected as the rabbit Chris Martin strolled out. "I've got to be honest, I got a little bit nervous then," he said. Touch and placement were responsible for him moving to three figures as Ricky Ponting scattered his fielders around the boundary.

"This century means a lot more to me that my first," he said. "Today there were a lot of factors: Australia are the best team in the world, it was the first Test of the series, the first innings of the series for me, and when I went in we were in a spot of bother." Oram's parents were in the stands, and he celebrated with a look to the sky to remember his grandfather, who died of cancer three months ago.

As his innings progressed, Oram was unmoved by numerous disruptive tactics, including two short balls from Shane Warne. It was easy to see why he has been mooted as an eventual replacement for Stephen Fleming. "I have seen Warne on TV bowling bouncers so I knew it was in his repertoire," said Oram, "but I didn't see the first one and it nearly hit me on the head."

One aspect where Oram is unlikely to match Cairns is with his bowling, which is more stock than strike. A batsman who added medium-pace to his resume four years ago, he took at least one wicket in his first 12 Test innings, and claimed Sachin Tendulkar on debut in 2002. He will do hours of unfashionable work at around 130kph, but he can make the ball rise sharply, and surprised both Ponting and Damien Martyn.

Oram doesn't like or believe the comparisons with Cairns, but they are inevitable. More performances like today's will help forge an identity away from the father and son.