Cricket: Oram leaves the net behind

By TERRY MADDAFORD

As schoolboys, Jacob Oram and Ryan Nelsen were keen rivals at soccer and cricket.

Better than useful at both sports, the pair were eventually forced to make a decision.

Nelsen chose the bigger ball and became an All White. Oram went the other way and has now become a test cricketer.

"I look back now at other guys I played against, such as Ivan Vicelich and Danny Hay, and wonder how I would have gone if I had stuck with soccer," Oram said on the eve of the second test in Hamilton.

"Ninety-nine per cent of the time I have no regrets, but I certainly enjoyed my soccer-playing days."

While in the seventh-form at Palmerston North Boys High, Oram was selected as a goalkeeper in the national under-20 side.

"I realised that to get anywhere in soccer I would have to have gone overseas.

"With my cricket taking up more of my time, I knew that wasn't possible, so I gave it away."

It is no surprise Oram, at 1.99m the tallest player in New Zealand first-class cricket, fitted comfortably into the goalkeeping role.

Bored behind a team who more often than not won, he could often be seen hanging from the bar as he stood between the posts.

Now cricket is the focus for New Zealand's 222nd test player.

"I've played 20 or so one-day internationals, but playing test cricket is the ultimate. It is the purest form of the game.

"I felt extra nervous the night before the first test before my name was read out. I felt I needed to do something to make the test team. I could not expect to force my way in as a pinch hitter.

"With Chris Cairns and Andre Adams out with injury, the door opened a bit.

"A couple of good scores in the State Championship [96 and 52 not out] and some good bowling against Otago helped. I really worked on my bowling."

Like many New Zealand youngsters, Oram played his first cricket as a seven or eight-year-old having watched his older brother perform.

Born and raised in Palmerston North, Oram says that will always be the place he "drops anchor".

Having bought a house in the city - putting the money that cricket has given him to good use - he has a base and also something to do when there is no cricket.

"I really enjoy buying things for the house and doing things around the place."

While on cricket duty, he has Griggs as his house sitter.

He also is keen to do some more work on the degree in organisational management he has three-quarters completed at Massey University.

"I hope to finish it within three years. I'll be 27 then and I will have to start thinking about life outside cricket. If cricket finished today, I could not tell you what I want to do."

As captain of Central Districts, Oram has stepped up.

"It is a role I enjoy. You are always in the game. I see captaincy as another string to an allrounder's bow."

In the test side he can focus on his other roles, whether batting, bowling or fielding.

Keen to become a gully specialist in internationals, his catch to dismiss Zaheer Khan (off bowling hero Shane Bond) can only reinforce those claims.

"I like the space I have in gully where I can field on my own.

"When I play for CD, I usually field at mid-off for the four-day game, but in gully for the one-dayers."

With such big hands, it is little surprise when he says that apart from the one he put down off Sachin Tendulkar in Wellington, he has a 100 per cent record this summer.

Enjoying the support of his parents - father Mark was at one time Central's physiotherapist - Oram had his first taste of international cricket when he joined Craig McMillan, Daniel Vettori and Matthew Bell and others in the New Zealand under-19 team for their tour of England.

Just the facts

Name: Jacob David Philip Oram

Born: July 28, 1978, Palmerston North.

Test debut: v India, Wellington last week. 0 runs, five wickets, average 11.8.

ODI debut: v Zimbabwe at Wellington, 2000-01. Played 25, 559 runs, average 15.27, 18 wickets.

First-class debut: New Zealand A v Bangladesh, Christchurch, December, 1997. Played 33, 1390 runs, average 30.88. 1 100, 9 50, HS 155.