Cricket: Oram can provide balance for Champions Trophy

Jacob Oram's flexibility will be an asset. File picture / Simon Baker

Jacob Oram, not long out of the field hospital after being incapacitated earlier this year, is poised to be rushed back to the front-line at the first opportunity.

The rangy allrounder was lowered by a back injury after the second one-dayer against Sri Lanka in January, raising questions about his workload at the bowling crease and his future as a front-line paceman.

But news of another back complaint, this one by New Zealand teammate and fellow allrounder Scott Styris, means Oram's flexibility is shaping as a much-needed asset during next month's Champions Trophy campaign.

New Zealand coach John Bracewell is scheduled to name his 14-strong squad for India today, and Oram's availability will at least allay any last-minute frustrations over Styris fitness.

The last word on Styris last night contained guarded optimism, and it wouldn't be a surprise to find him either included in the squad with conditions, or bracketed until he can prove his fitness.

Whatever happens, having Oram back should prove a relief for Bracewell, as it allows him the choice of carrying either an extra bowler or batsman into each match.

If Styris was to be ruled out, it means Oram could still bring the necessary balance to the line-up, slotting in at No 6 in the batting order, just ahead of wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum and four front-line bowlers.

The focus will then be on the top-order batting positions, where Bracewell will need to decide whether he wants extra cover for the openers, for the middle-order, or for both.

On that question hangs the immediate future of batsmen such as Ross Taylor and Jamie How.

There's also likely to be some tight calls when it comes to the supporting cast for the bowling attack; whether to settle for only Jeetan Patel's extra spin option, or to push for more pace cover.

On that one dangles the prospects of New Zealand all-rounder Andre Adams, Wellington seamer Mark Gillespie and Auckland fast bowler Chris Martin.

Adams has been struggling on the English County scene with a toe complaint but still appears a front-runner for one of the support positions, possibly alongside Patel and one of the batsmen.

New Zealand are a group alongside South Africa, Pakistan and a qualifier (either the West Indies or Sri Lanka) next month, while Australia, England, India and one other qualifier will play on the opposite side of the draw.

The top two teams from each group will face each other in semifinal clashes on November 1 and 2 at Mohali and Jaipur, respectively, with the final at Mumbai on November 5.

Possible NZ squad: Stephen Fleming (c), Lou Vincent, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Peter Fulton, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Kyle Mills, Shane Bond, Andre Adams, Hamish Marshall, Jeetan Patel.