New Zealand Cricket has appointed former all-rounder Jacob Oram as their bowling coach ahead of the challenging three-match Test series against India, a highly-anticipated series in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. The formidable right-arm pacer, who will take charge on October 7, has played three ODI World Cups and four T20 World Cups, and thus he offers plenty of experience to the Blackcaps coached by Gary Stead. The series opener between New Zealand and India is scheduled for October 16-20 in Bengaluru, followed by Tests in Pune (October 24-28) and Mumbai (November 1-5).
The 46-year-old cricketer was the Kiwis’ bowling coach during the recent T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. Oram also performed a similar role with the New Zealand women’s team during the World Cup on home soil in 2022.
The 229-capped international officially joins the Blackcaps staff after supporting the team as bowling coach in last year’s Test tour to Bangladesh, February’s T20I series at home against Australia, along with the recent ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, said New Zealand Cricket in a statement.
Now ranked third with 50 percentage points behind table-leaders India and Australia, the Blackcaps have an excellent opportunity of making it to the World Test Championship final for the second time in three editions.
To be back involved with a team that means so much to me and has been a big part of my life is a real honor, said Oram, who has taken more than 250 wickets across formats. The recent opportunities I’ve had have been a great insight into where this team is going and I’m excited to continue that work in the coming seasons, he added.
There’s a fresh new wave of talent coming through in the Blackcaps bowling ranks and I hope that I can share my knowledge and experience to help best prepare them for the challenges of international cricket, Stead told the media. The 52-year-old coach also credited Oram by stating that he will bring his years of experience to the side during this crucial phase.
Oram is a great operator. His career as a player and his experiences as a coach speaks for themselves. He brings a deep understanding of the international game, but also experience in franchise cricket which will be worthwhile in understanding the modern player and the changing landscape of the modern game, added Stead.
