Oram retires from test cricket

Injury-plagued allrounder Jacob Oram has played 33 tests for New Zealand. Photo / Mark Mitchell

New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram has ended speculation about his playing future by today confirming his retirement from test cricket.

The 31-year-old announced the end of his sporadic 33-test career at a media conference in Christchurch today, citing a desire to prolong the limited overs component of his career.

Oram's future had been under scrutiny since he was forced to pull out of the recent Champions Trophy in South Africa with a hamstring injury - the latest in a catalogue of ailments that has drastically reduced his effectiveness since he made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in January 2001.

Oram earned his first test cap the following summer against India but since then has only been available for 33 of a possible 54 tests matches.

He played his last test against Sri Lanka in Colombo in late August.

Oram warned before that two-test series began that another serious injury would force him to reassess his career - he had previously hinted he might have to abandon bowling his medium pacers, the source of many of his injuries.

Oram today said after ongoing battles with injury he hoped a reduced workload would allow him to prolong his international playing career.

"This decision has been a very tough one and has not been made without careful consideration and discussion with those closest to me," Oram said.

"The last few years have shown that my body cannot handle the strains and stresses that come with being an allrounder, playing all three formats for up to 10 months a year.

"For the sake of longevity I have had to make a decision that will decrease my workload, so I can concentrate all my efforts on the shorter forms of the game."

Oram said the decision was influenced by an ambition to play in the 2011 World Cup on the subcontinent plus the world Twenty20 and Champions Trophy tournaments.

He is also contracted to the lucrative Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition, and has a year to run on his $675,000 deal with the Chennai Super Kings.

An expectant father for the first time, Oram said the decision to step aside from tests would give him more time with his family.

"My first child is sue next month and is also a major reason for deciding to pull back on playing commitments and time away from home."

Oram said thoughts of retiring from tests had been contemplated for some time.

"I've attempted to delay any decision about my future career path for some time now," he said.

"However in light of my latest injury at the Champions Trophy it has became clear to me that now is the time to sacrifice something to try and stay in the game longer."

Oram, who compiled five test centuries and took 60 wickets, said he left the format with "many fond memories".

"I'd be lying if I said I had no regrets, however these feelings were not powerful enough to make me reconsider this decision."

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan understood Oram's decision.

"His experience will be missed bu t we fully understand the difficulties he's faced with injuries."

Oram will retain one of NZC's 20 central contracts although his ranking had been recalculated following the decision to retire from tests.

New Zealand's next test series is a three-match assignment against Pakistan here from late-November.

JACOB ORAM

Born July 28, 1978 (31)
Teams: New Zealand, Central Districts, Chennai Super Kings

Tests
Debut v India at Wellington, Dec 2002
Final test v Sri Lanka at Colombo, Aug 2009
Matches 33

1780 runs at 36.32, 133 highest score (v South Africa at Centurion 2006), 5 x 100; 6 x 50.

60 wickets at 33.05, 4-41 best bowling in an innings (v India at Hamilton 2002); 15 catches

One-day internationals
Debut v Zimbabwe at Wellington, Jan 2001
Matches 132

2050 runs at 24.40, 101* highest score (v Australia at Perth 2007), 1 x 100; 11 x 50

132 wickets at 30.99, 5-26 best bowling (v India at Auckland 2002), 4.39 economy rate; 40 catches

Twenty20 internationals
Debut v South Africa at Johannesburg, Oct 2005
Matches 20

377 runs at 26.92, 66* highest score (v Australia at Perth 2007), strike rate 141.72

7 wickets at 60.00, 3-33 best bowling (v Sri Lanka at Colombo 2009), 8.93 economy rate; 9 catches

- NZPA