Cricket: Oram diagnosed with bone injury

New Zealand cricket allrounder Jacob Oram has been sidelined for the immediate future after a scan revealed a bone injury in his back.

Oram had the bone scan in Hamilton yesterday, having been sidelined since January 9 with continued back pain, feared to be a stress fracture.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement today further tests would be needed for a clearer diagnosis.

"The extent of the injury is yet to be determined but will become clearer in a few days after he has a CT scan," the statement said.

Team management wouldn't comment about his playing future until the results of the CT scan were known.

If it is a stress fracture, Oram will almost certainly miss the tour by Australia in February and March, and two tests against Sri Lanka in April.

Oram returned home to Palmerston North today.

- NZPA