Oram to join one-day squad

Jacob Oram has been called into the New Zealand squad for the CB Series after recovering from a hamstring injury and Kyle Mills could also be a surprise addition, according to the New Zealand camp. Oram will fly to Adelaide on Sunday ahead of the team's must-win match against England two days later.

Lindsay Crocker, the team's manager, said the selectors would assess Mills' chances after his performance for Auckland against Canterbury today. "If the New Zealand selectors are satisfied with his fitness and form he will also head to Adelaide," Crocker said.

Oram, who hurt his hamstring during the Test series against Sri Lanka last month, returned to first-class cricket two weeks ago. On Thursday, he impressed with an unbeaten 70 and two wickets for Central Districts against Otago.

Oram said he was looking forward to the trip despite New Zealand's poor start to the CB Series. "The guys have played in Hobart and that's the smallest of the four venues, so we'll be at the better and bigger parks, with more people and more abuse," Oram told the New Zealand Herald.

"So it's a massive challenge. I've played over there a couple of times already and you know you're in a fight. But, at the same time, you look at it as being the ultimate challenge in cricket. I know it's a cliche, but it's kinda what you play for."

However, the news wasn't all good for New Zealand as an injury scare delayed allrounder Scott Styris's return. He was expected to join the team before their match against England on Tuesday but had to prove his fitness by playing against Canterbury. Styris withdrew from the game after feeling a twinge in his calf muscle and will not fly to Australia on Monday. However, he could join the team later in the Commonwealth Bank series.