Cricket: Big Jake's mighty challenge

Jacob Oram has welcomed the idea of providing a more balanced role within the New Zealand test side, even if it means less time at the bowling crease.

Recalled after more than two months on the sidelines with a bruised heel, the big all-rounder has been primed to take a leading role on this month's tour of South Africa, where he is expected to bat at No 6 and play the part of a fourth seamer.

The news has come as something of a relief for the 1.98m tall Oram, who has been shunted from pillar to post since his debut in 2000-01, and invariably employed as a bowler who could bat.

But coach John Bracewell made it clear this week that he intended using Oram as more of a batting all-rounder in South Africa, in the hope that a reduced role with the ball would help to provide more continuity and stability.

Oram missed much of the 2001-02 season with a foot injury caused by increased responsibilities with the ball, and was sidelined from most of this summer's home internationals with a heel complaint, also suffered at the bowling crease. Then there was the back injury that forced him out of last summer's home series against Australia.

"I'm looking forward to the idea of more responsibility with the bat," Oram said yesterday. "Nothing is definite or finalised, but from what I understand, they're maybe looking to me to fill more of a middle-order role with the bat and take a slightly less prominent role with the ball. I guess, translated, that means making more good runs for New Zealand, and I'm happy to accept that challenge."

The 27-year-old said he was well aware of the challenge in South Africa next week, when New Zealand start a month's tour including tests at Centurion, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

South Africa are certain to be keen for redemption at the end of their present series against Australia, and Oram believes there are a couple of other reasons why the New Zealanders should prepare themselves for lively skirmish.

"There could be a backlash from Australia, certainly," he said. "They'll be battle-hardened and they would have been playing above themselves in an effort to compete with the world champions.

"Then there's the fact that the South Africans seem to want to give us a good stuffing after what happened to them over here a couple of years ago. That seemed to be the theme when we were there for the one-dayers last year, and I'm guessing little will have changed when we arrive. It'll be hostile."

Oram has opened the bowling for New Zealand in tests, has filled the role of the first-change seamer, has played as a specialist batsman, and at times virtually as a specialist bowler.

He was shunted down the order two summers ago during the home series against Pakistan and South Africa, often joining the fray at No 8 or No 9, following after players such as Brendon McCullum and Chris Cairns.

But he said he was much happier playing as a balanced all-rounder. "I've felt more pressure as a specialist batter. I think that when you're any sort of specialist, there's more pressure on you because you get just one chance to impress.

"There's still a feeling that, as an all-rounder, if you fail in one discipline you still have a chance to redeem yourself in the other. You get a couple of opportunities, and it generates a different mindset."