Cricket: I'm enjoying getting thrashed by Aussies, says Oram

ADELAIDE - While some of the New Zealand cricket team could be forgiven for wanting to bring forward their flights home from Australia, allrounder Jacob Oram has spoken positively of being mauled by the world champions.

Oram, who has been cast as the successor to Chris Cairns, said staying optimistic was not a problem as the team lurches from one disastrous session to another.

"I can't comment for the other 14 guys in the squad but for me personally, I've got no problem staying up," said Oram, before New Zealand sought to bat through the final day at the Adelaide Oval to prevent a Trans-Tasman Trophy whitewash.

Oram and Brendon McCullum (34) resume their brisk 52-run stand for the sixth wicket with New Zealand precariously placed at 149 for five -- light years from their victory target of 464.

"It was always going to be very tough (touring Australia)," Oram said. "I was under no illusions as to how tough it was going to be.

"The results aren't what I expected, or hoped for, but the type of cricket and the level of difficulty is exactly what I thought it was going to be. I think that's why I'm actually enjoying it the most.

"I spent a month in Bangladesh before here and this leaves it for dead --- and we're losing.

"I'm loving being here. It's tough, it's bloody hard but it's not hard to get up.

"If it is, it's almost sort of 'hang your boots up' time, you're not made for it," said Oram, who is 17 tests into what promises to be a long career.

Oram, 26, is in the rare position of being able to reflect with some satisfaction on his input to the Black Caps' troubled trip.

As New Zealand's only century-maker so far, he leads the batting aggregates, a position he will solidify today if he kicks on from an unbeaten 40.

Oram provided the team highlight at the Gabba with an unbeaten 126 in his maiden test innings against Australia, though his lack of success with the ball still grates him.

"I bowled terribly in Brisbane, I was very disappointed there," he said.

"I was backing up a hundred -- I'm supposed to be an allrounder with two jobs or two skills.

"It was disappointing to follow up a good innings with the bat with my worst bowling innings for New Zealand," said Oram, who took none for 116 off 25.

Although he worked hard on his rhythm once in Adelaide a prized wicket remained elusive, although he was by far the Black Caps' most economical pace bowler.

"It's been the most frustrating part of the series for me. I'm extremely annoyed I haven't got a wicket to my name," he said, lamenting an analysis of none for 188 from three innings.

" It's bloody annoying ... one day I'll bowl poorly and get three or four."

- NZPA