Oram optimistic of playing Australia Tests

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Jacob Oram: hopeful of playing in the Tests © Getty Images

After being cleared of a stress fracture, Jacob Oram, the New Zealand allrounder, is hopeful of being fit for the three Test series against Australia which begins in March. Oram has been diagnosed with a stress reaction and is receiving treatment for a bruised vertebrae which is likely to prevent him from bowling during the series. However, he could still play as a specialist batsman.

"If I was asked to play as a specialist I'd love to but that won't be easy because the middle order is fairly packed at the moment," Oram told The Dominion Post. "And if I did [play as a batsman], it would only be a short-term thing because ultimately I want to be an allrounder. It's not really my call, but it is something I'm interested in."

Oram's performance with the bat during the recently concluded two-Test series against Australia should give him the edge over Craig McMillan and Hamish Marshall, two other contenders for middle-order berths. Oram topped the Test batting averages in that series, and his magnificent 126 at the Gabba was the only century for New Zealand.

"Plenty of people are saying to me `give up the bowling, your body is not up to it' but the reason I worked so hard on my bowling was to help my chances of getting in the side.

"I played as a specialist batsman at Headingley [against England last year] and it felt like I only had one arm so being an allrounder is a nice thing to fall back on and something I would never let go of lightly. As for when I bowl again, I don't know, I don't think anybody does and we are not putting any deadline on it."

Aware of Oram's importance to the side, New Zealand Cricket's medical team is chalking down a comprehensive recovery programme for him. Oram has not been given permission to run yet and is not expected to play club cricket for a fortnight.

However, there better news for Daniel Vettori, who was given the all clear to return to action for Northern Districts this weekend after recovering from his back injury