Cricket: Injury concern rules out Oram

NZ Cricket withdrew Jacob Oram because of a slow-healing bruise to the heel. Picture / Simon Baker

Under normal circumstances, the absence of Jacob Oram would be a hammer blow for Central Districts ahead of the State Shield one-day semifinal against Otago in Napier today.

The international allrounder was withdrawn from the match yesterday by New Zealand Cricket officials concerned at his slow recovery from a bruised heel.

The same injury has restricted Oram to just one shield match for Central Districts this summer but coach Graham Barlow has been impressed by the manner in which his players have rallied together to cover for the New Zealand representative's absence.

Oram's unavailability for the semifinal at McLean Park is therefore not as damaging as it could have been, coming as it does after he also missed the round robin match against Wellington last week when he pulled out on the morning of the game.

"It obviously changes the balance of our side a bit but we're pretty used to being without him," said Barlow yesterday.

Central Districts qualified second after the round robin, their charge to the semifinal coming on the coat tails of a mix-and-match seam bowling attack spearheaded by Lance Hamilton and Ewen Thompson.

Those two have collected 36 shield wickets between them this summer, and their endeavours have been backed up superbly by Michael Mason, Brendon Diamanti and Greg Hegglun.

The five-pronged seam attack has taken 67 wickets and enjoys operating in familiar surroundings at McLean Park.

Central Districts have the batting firepower to make any side sweat, with the punishing Ross Taylor continuing to impress while Mathew Sinclair and Jamie How have the sort of international experience Otago lack.

Barlow has plenty of time for Otago, who continue to live a dream as they pursue their first domestic one-day title in 18 years, despite a growing casualty list.

"We're well aware of their strengths and they will be very competitive.

"But we're pretty confident. If we get what we do right, we're looking forward to it."

No more than spoilers in recent seasons, Otago this summer emerged as genuine title contenders, thanks largely to the key signing of South African allrounder Jonathan Trott.

Trott has had an outstanding shield campaign, scoring 421 runs at an average of 105 and picking up 14 wickets as well.

Central Districts would be foolhardy to ignore the threat posed by Trott, and Barlow admits the English county professional has been the topic of conversation.

"He adds batting and bowling balance to their side and I think the others tend to play around him. We will definitely have a plan for him," said Barlow, who unsurprisingly did not want to reveal more. Trott missed Otago's last match against Northern Districts because of a back injury and it has still to be decided whether he will bowl today.

Allrounder Neil Broom is another whose role will not be clarified until this morning after he suffered a side strain.

Like Trott, he is fit to bat but it remains uncertain whether he will bowl.

The latest injury concerns come follow a catalogue of problems to befall Otago this summer.

From their original squad, Otago have been denied the services of Aaron Redmond, Greg Todd, Jeff Wilson and James McMillan due to various injuries.

The winners will meet Canterbury in the final at Christchurch on Sunday. 

 
The teams

* Otago (from): Craig Cumming (c), Neil Broom, Sean Eathorne, Chris Gaffaney, Gareth Hopkins, Nathan McCullum, Warren McSkimming, Bradley Scott, Gareth Shaw, Jordan Sheed, Jonathan Trott, David Sewell.

* Central Districts (from): Jamie How (c), Geoff Barnett, Brendon Diamanti, Jarrod Englefield, Bevan Griggs, Lance Hamilton, Brent Hefford, Greg Hegglun, Michael Mason, Mathew Sinclair, Ross Taylor, Ewen Thompson.

- NZPA