Oram adds to New Zealand's injury headache

Jacon Oram: won't bowl at Headingley © Getty Images

New Zealand's growing injury worries worsened with the news that Jacob Oram will not be fit enough to play as an allrounder at Headingley.

Even if his side strain is not sufficiently bad for him not to be able to bat, New Zealand's selectors need to find another bowler to balance the side. Oram, who made a breezy 67 at Lord's, might still be picked as a batsman in a side which has several players struggling to find their form.

"Jacob bowled this morning without an issue. We wanted to see how he'd back up, he bowled again this afternoon and he did feel it a bit," Lindsay Crocker, the side's manager, explained. "He still feels it, and he's got a bit of settling down to do before he's a confirmed starter."

"Jacob will be considered but not necessarily selected," John Bracewell, New Zealand's coach, admitted "His inability to bowl does complicate the balance." But there was a glimmer of hope regarding Craig McMillan's finger injury, with some sources claiming that he is now 50-50 to be fit enough to play after successfully negotiating some fairly gentle throw-downs on Tuesday. He will undergo one more net on Wednesday before the final decision is made, but the New Zealand management were reported to be optimistic about his chances. "It will be based on how comfortable he is," Crocker said. "Really only he can confirm that."