'I needed a second skill to force my way in'
In the past 12 months, Jacob Oram has begun to establish himself as a genuine allrounder in the New Zealand side - a man who could conceivably fill the void left by Chris Cairns's retirement from Test cricket
Nagraj Gollapudi
23-Mar-2005
In the past 12 months, Jacob Oram has begun to establish himself as a genuine allrounder in the New Zealand side - a man who could conceivably fill the void left by Chris Cairns's retirement from Test cricket. For the moment, however, he is sidelined with injury. In an exclusive interview, Oram talks about New Zealand's struggles and his development as a cricketer.
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New Zealand have made steady progress in the last couple of years, so the recent setbacks in England and Australia must be pretty demoralising?
I wouldn't call them demoralising, that's a little over the top. Sure, they were extremely disappointing and the complete opposite to what we wanted, but we have to learn from them. We would have been foolish not to have learnt our lessons and moved on, so while we were gutted by the losses, we had to find the positives as well.
I wouldn't call them demoralising, that's a little over the top. Sure, they were extremely disappointing and the complete opposite to what we wanted, but we have to learn from them. We would have been foolish not to have learnt our lessons and moved on, so while we were gutted by the losses, we had to find the positives as well.
Aside from injuries to key players, what are the reasons the team is not doing well?
Patience, inconsistency and a bit of poor thinking as well. We were in too much of a hurry during the Tests and needed to just slow down at times and think of our best options.
Patience, inconsistency and a bit of poor thinking as well. We were in too much of a hurry during the Tests and needed to just slow down at times and think of our best options.
New Zealand pitches are so helpful to fast bowlers. Does that make you a bit complacent in your development?
I think so. You find a slow medium-pacer will succeed without being overly accurate or talented because they only have to get the ball somewhere near a good line and length. We will improve as a whole when our pitches are flat, with consistent bounce and pace. Our weather does not help here though.
I think so. You find a slow medium-pacer will succeed without being overly accurate or talented because they only have to get the ball somewhere near a good line and length. We will improve as a whole when our pitches are flat, with consistent bounce and pace. Our weather does not help here though.
How much of a difference does Shane Bond's absence make?
It leaves a huge hole. We do not have anyone else in New Zealand who can bowl that quick, so we lose the intimidation factor.
It leaves a huge hole. We do not have anyone else in New Zealand who can bowl that quick, so we lose the intimidation factor.
You only started bowling in the last four or five years - that's surprising?
I suppose so. At the time the New Zealand middle order was stacked so I needed a second skill to force my way in. I thought I'd make use of my height and start to bowl.
I suppose so. At the time the New Zealand middle order was stacked so I needed a second skill to force my way in. I thought I'd make use of my height and start to bowl.
We will improve as a whole when our pitches are flat, with consistent bounce and pace
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As a bowler what are the advantages you gain from your height?
Obviously there's that extra bounce that batsmen are not used to. I can extract greater bounce off the same length than a shorter bowler.
Obviously there's that extra bounce that batsmen are not used to. I can extract greater bounce off the same length than a shorter bowler.
Have you worked on your game by watching similarly built bowlers?
I watch Glenn McGrath closely. He is unbelievably accurate and can move the ball in the air or off the pitch when others can't. I won't say he is my idol, but I think he is class.
I watch Glenn McGrath closely. He is unbelievably accurate and can move the ball in the air or off the pitch when others can't. I won't say he is my idol, but I think he is class.
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Is concentrating on bowling having an effect on your overall game?
I wouldn't say I concentrate solely on my bowling because then I think it would impact on my game. I try to split and manage my time professionally so that my batting, bowling and fielding all get tended to.
I wouldn't say I concentrate solely on my bowling because then I think it would impact on my game. I try to split and manage my time professionally so that my batting, bowling and fielding all get tended to.
You could have made a decent rugby player. Why did you choose cricket and how did you develop your cricketing abilities as a youngster?
Size doesn't automatically make you a good rugby player. I played soccer in the winter and cricket in the summer as I grew up, and choose cricket as there was a clearer career path here in New Zealand.
Size doesn't automatically make you a good rugby player. I played soccer in the winter and cricket in the summer as I grew up, and choose cricket as there was a clearer career path here in New Zealand.
Jeff Wilson, a former All Black, has returned to cricket - what do you make of that move?
To be honest, I don't really know much about Jeff's cricket, but he is obviously very talented as he was selected when he was a teenager and has been re-selected over a decade later. His rugby experience will help him fit right back into international cricket, and he will add a new flavour to our team.
To be honest, I don't really know much about Jeff's cricket, but he is obviously very talented as he was selected when he was a teenager and has been re-selected over a decade later. His rugby experience will help him fit right back into international cricket, and he will add a new flavour to our team.