Cricket: Stand by for Oram encore

Jacob Oram scored 133 and shared a 183-run partnership with Daniel Vettori. Picture / Reuters

CENTURION - You get the feeling that comeback king Jacob Oram may yet have a major hand to play in the fortunes of this topsy-turvy opening test against South Africa.

The man who salvaged New Zealand's hopes on the second day with a career-best 133 has already done enough to warrant man-of-the-match consideration, particularly after he chimed in yesterday with an early wicket in South Africa's second innings.

For all that, Oram's nagging back-of-a-length bowling is expected to suit the wild inconsistency of the SuperSport Park pitch, and it would be no surprise if he is later called on to play a vital hand with the bat in the fourth innings.

Resuming yesterday morning at four without loss and trailing by 47 runs, South Africa's top-order turned on a fairly decent impersonation of New Zealand's effort the day before, slumping to 42 for three against a persistent pace attack.

Chris Martin trapped Graeme Smith in front for the second time in the test, James Franklin had Herschelle Gibbs caught at second slip and then Oram began making his presence felt, having Boeta Dippenaar expertly caught by Stephen Fleming.

With the pitch providing anything from steep bounce to none at all, batting is shaping as an especially difficult art against pacemen who hit the pitch hard, something that Oram has prided himself on over the past few years.

He was quick to point out yesterday that runs were likely to become an increasingly precious commodity over the last couple of days of the test, and revealed that New Zealand were distinctly unimpressed with the needless squandering of wickets during the latter stages of their first innings.

Having marked his first test since November 2004 with his third century, Oram said afterwards that the New Zealand side were not amused to lose the wickets of Daniel Vettori, Franklin and Kyle Mills in such frivolous style.

Vettori had his third century in his sights before hooking out, Franklin chased a wide ball from Makhaya Ntini, and Mills lost control of an attempted pull.

"It's just a shame we didn't kick on from the position we were in and be still batting the next day, because I think that was highly plausible," Oram said.

"It's something we already talked about straight away afterwards; the fact that we pride ourselves on our middle and lower order, that we're very capable throughout the line-up, and that everyone can bat.

"When you look at it, a couple of shots were probably played at the wrong time, and Dan [Vettori] just brought up the fact that later in the series we're going to need every run we can scramble off these guys. It was just suggested that some of us should have placed a higher value on our wicket.

"But at the same time, we play a high-risk game, and sometimes that's the way it goes."

Vettori, Franklin and Mills all looked reasonably comfortable at the crease at a time when Oram was gaining an edge on his opponents.

The 27-year-old left-hander had previously scored defiant centuries at Brisbane in 2004-05 and at Hamilton against South Africa in 2003-04, and yesterday's effort was more of the same, an innings dripping with application and responsibility.

Vettori was just as effective in his own idiosyncratic style, taking 80 balls over his half century, and showing no sign of emotion or celebration when he achieved the double of 200 wickets and 2000 runs, a feat he now shares with just 11 other test players.

He eventually fell for 81 but could at least depart safe in the knowledge that New Zealand were right back in the game.

Oram said later that he was elated about making such a solid contribution for two reasons - the time he'd been out of the test arena, and the fact that he'd had to struggle throughout his innings for technical precision.

"I honestly thought it felt like the worst of the three [centuries] so far, I didn't feel comfortable at all," he said.

"I didn't feel as good as I would've liked technically. But in terms of the situation we were in, 45 for five; it was probably my best effort."

South African coach Micky Arthur said it was frustrating to watch his team's early initiative wiped out by the late onslaught.

"We wanted to put the likes of [Stephen] Fleming, [Scott] Styris and [Nathan] Astle under pressure, and we did that nicely - and then Jacob popped up and played fantastically well. Even a guy like [James] Franklin played some fantastic shots.

"I guess New Zealand are a little like us - they bat all the way down."