Oram to join NZ squad in Aus

[Mr. Wicket]

Thrilled to hear this. The series could start being competitive at last. Nobody expected England to do much, and rightfully so. They're a pitiful one day team, and given their attitude to the shorter form of the game, deserve to win nothing. New Zealand though have been a huge disappointment this season, and it's understandable. Much of their strength has come from a bank of all rounders in the middle and lower order that's allowed players as accomplished with the bat as Dan Vettori to come in at 9, and ensured there's a grafting and hitting capability right through the lineup. With the injuries to Styris and Oram, Vettori's been forced to bat at 7, giving NZ their typically unreliable top order, and no lower order strength to compensate. The tail capitulated against Australia, a far cry from previous games when Vettori or Mills in the lower order would biff a few and at least go down fighting, or drag matches to the brink. Now with Oram back, James Franklin - probably NZ's worst ODI bowler in a long time - deserves to get the chop. Oram coming into the middle order could allow Vettori to bat at 8 and will definitely add a lot more steel to the batting, and perhaps even improve the bowling a bit. Now hopefully Styris will be fit enough to take part in the second half of the series, and help make some of the Anzac games real contests.

[King]

Re: Oram to join NZ squad in Aus Won't make any difference. Oram has not done anything great recently and before he starts playing international cricket he needs to learn to play spin bowling.

[audioman]

Re: Oram to join NZ squad in Aus I've seen a couple of really good knocks from Oram against the Aussies. I think he will make a huge difference at lest against England if not the Aussies. NZ's first goal should be to make the finals, and then hope Bond and McCullum can do some damage.

[Mr. Wicket]

Re: Oram to join NZ squad in Aus Oh mighty Oram, we laud thee. Man of the match on return. 86 off 89 as NZ put enough runs on the board, and add in a few tight overs and a wicket against the Pommybastards.

[King]

Re: Oram to join NZ squad in Aus That was a match winning knock and also a fantastic bowling effort. Bondy's shock return helped too. 210 I thought was not a big score but against England it sure is. :wtg: