KEY POINTS:
Like a caped superhero, allrounder Jacob Oram arrived in the nick of time for New Zealand whose tri-series cricket campaign finally roared into life today.
In his first one-day international since November, Oram's career-best 86 off 89 balls resuscitated a choking New Zealand top-order and their total of 210 was plenty as they beat England by 90 runs.
Spinner Daniel Vettori delivered the knockout punch, ripping through the middle order to take four for 24 while returned paceman Shane Bond took his 100th and 101st one-day international wickets at the end to dismiss England for 120 in just 37.5 overs.
A jubilant New Zealand also claimed a bonus point as England lost their last six wickets for 28.
On a red-letter day for Oram after returning from a hamstring injury, he claimed Paul Nixon as his 100th wicket and added some much-needed energy in the field as New Zealand's tri-series and World Cup buildup teetered on the brink.
It ended a four-match losing streak and registered New Zealand's first points of the tournament to signal a tight race with England to be Australia's opponent in the finals.
It seemed New Zealand's 210 off 50 overs wasn't enough on a slow, low, but far from unplayable pitch on the small Adelaide Oval.
But the bowlers again did their bit, led by left-armer James Franklin whose opening spell of three for 17 rocked England's top order.
At the other end Bond, returned ahead of schedule from a back injury, regained his 150kmh pace and in his third spell snared Monty Panesar as his 100th wicket in just his 54th match.
Vettori weaved his magic, trapping Paul Collingwood leg before wicket then snaring the huge wicket of their Hobart nemesis Andrew Flintoff, caught behind for nine by a juggling Brendon McCullum.
Vettori also had topscorer Ed Joyce brilliantly caught by Mark Gillespie for 47.
After winning the toss, New Zealand's thoughts may have already turned to home when the now-familiar top-order collapse reduced them to 67 for five.
Senior men Nathan Astle and captain Stephen Fleming were again a worry, Astle lasting just eight balls for one and Fleming scoring a painful 20 off 42 balls -- both caught behind the wicket.
Oram only had three half-centuries in his previous 87 one-day internationals and a batting average of 18.68 when he arrived at 61 for four after Craig McMillan was trapped in front for two.
He set about rescuing New Zealand with some judicious placement, reverse sweeps and the odd huge hit, adding a crucial 120 off 137 balls with McCullum whose supportive 30 didn't include a single boundary.
Oram hit six fours and two sixes, one each off spinners James Dalrymple and Monty Panesar, as he topped his previous best of 81 against Australia in Pune, India, in 2003.
Fleming breathed a sigh of relief as he hailed Oram's comeback performance.
"He's been out of the team for a while, and with bat and ball he was outstanding, a great presence to have.
"It was touch and go halfway through but we were always confident, we felt it was a tough wicket for England to bat on and that proved to be the case. "
- NZPA
