Jacob Oram set to take part in ICC World Cup 2011 after getting ankle clearance
New Zealand’s big all-rounder Jacob Oram has been cleared of an ankle injury that ruled him out of the final ODI against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 at the Eden Park last Saturday.
The hosts won the match to restore their battered pride, ending the contest with a 3-2 defeat; Oram though had a decent run with the ball in the six match series, where the second match was washed out at Queenstown.
He started the series with a fine bowling performance at the Westpac in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864, a game where Pakistan were routed for 124 runs.However, he was hit all around the park in the third match at Christchurch as a dazzling batting performance
by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 and Umar Akmal saw Pakistan add a staggering 126 runs in the last 10 overs of the innings.
After the fifth game, which the hosts lost at the Seddon Park in Hamilton to hand the series over, Oram suffered ankle pain.
He sat out the sixth game and was relieved to get the go-ahead following an MRI scan, x-ray and independent medical assessment.
"I developed ankle pain and although it didn't feel serious I wasn't able to bowl without discomfort," Oram said. "The medical staff got the necessary assessment done and I was sweating on the results but pleased when the doctor let
me know that I was fit to travel with the team to the World Cup. I have inflammation around the joint so not a significant tear or break".
The all-rounder has had an injury plagued career; he started off as a pace bowler who had the ability to bounce the ball from an awkward length at a sharp pace, however, the spate of injuries have reduced him to a medium pacer who
is more akin to bowling line and length, with variations in pace.
He hopes that the World Cup would now be niggle free for him as he bids to play the stellar role for his team which is coming off a poor run in recent months having lost as many as 14 of their last 16 ODI games.
"I've worked hard over the last six months to get fully fit so it is extremely disappointing to pick up another niggle. However I am confident it isn't too serious and am determined to do everything I can to be fully fit for the first
match," Oram stated after getting the thumbs up on his fitness.
Despite his injury plagued career, Oram has played an important role in most Kiwi wins in his playing days, the big-hitter has the great ability of clearing any field and on his day is one of the most feared strikers of the ball.
Together with his bowling, he remains an essential part in New Zealand’s ODI plans and the coach John Wright would be banking on him doing more of the same when the tournament begins.
In a total of 145 ODIs to date he has scored 1 century and 12 half centuries for his team, with his best being a brutal 101 not out. The all-rounder has also taken 147 wickets and averages more than a wicket per match, which is a
fantastic return for a medium pacer who is so prone to injuries.
The Black Caps would be playing their group games in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 and would be hoping that their burly all-rounder stays in his elements and delivers some consistent performances that can take them through to the knock-out
stages of the 14 team competition.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 are yet to win the World Cup in 9 attempts.
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