Cricket: Oram goes back to school to start new chapter

Jacob Oram. Photo / NZPA

As one cricket dressing room door closes, another is opening for former New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram.

With retirement imminent, the 35-year-old opted out of the Ford Trophy with Central Districts to take up a coaching role at Palmerston North Boys' High School. In a touch of symmetry, PNBHS is where Oram's cricketing skills first came to prominence.

"I've been talking about coaching for a couple of years but my playing schedule never complied. After the HRV Cup, I thought, 'it's now or never' and I've enjoyed it. I've worked as an assistant/specialist coach with [first XI head coaches] Mike Taiuru and Mark Leighton.

"I think my character lends itself to coaching. I'd love to forge a career in it. It's a bit cliched but helping guys get better and watching them succeed gives me a lot of satisfaction - whether it's working on a shot, a new delivery or something in the field. I'll always love the game regardless of how far my body and mind drift apart in what they can achieve."

Oram wants to work his way up from the bottom rather than entering at a level preordained by his reputation as a former international: "That was part of the reason for joining my old school. I played against Boys' High School in a club match a few years ago and spoke to the teacher in charge about [coaching] opportunities.

"I didn't want to be a guy who finishes a long playing career then puts his hand out and says 'right, I've finished playing, where's my highly-paid full-time coaching gig?' If I want to make a career out of this, I need to do it properly and there's no better place to learn. I've spent the last 15 years or more in a provincial or international environment so I thought it'd be good to start afresh. I'm not just helping the first XI but also junior teams from Year 9 upwards. I've already learnt a lot about how to communicate with younger guys and how hard you can push them."

Oram has his level two coaching qualification and hopes to be accepted into a level three course in the near future. He was released from his national contract by mutual agreement with New Zealand Cricket in December 2012. He has since played in several Twenty20 franchises worldwide but a summer at home with wife Mara and sons Patrick and Thomas has him weighing up his playing options.

"There's been a silver lining to pulling back," Oram says. "In hindsight, I should've terminated my New Zealand contract 12 months earlier and stepped aside for young talented players like Jimmy Neesham and Corey Anderson. I didn't fully appreciate how hard it is on wives and partners when we're away nine to 10 months a year. I tell you what, after a few sleepless nights, early starts and long days at home, I sure appreciate it now. Still, I really enjoyed a 'normal' summer where you're outside riding bikes, kicking a ball, bouncing on a tramp or in the pool.

"I'm not officially retired but I'm getting very, very close. I'm leaving the doors open for a couple of reasons but that's probably as much as I can say."