jacob oram, new zealand cricket, ipl, nzc
“I really enjoy the Twenty20 format and see it as a way to stay involved in cricket for a while longer.” -FIle photo

All-rounder Jacob Oram has opted out of his New Zealand Cricket (NZC) central contract to focus on his professional Twenty20 career.

The 34-year-old Oram, who played 33 tests and 160 one-day internationals, secured an early release from his contract, NZC said in a statement on Saturday.

“This was a very difficult decision but in recent weeks I have come to the conclusion that I can no longer make a full-time commitment to NZC,” Oram said in the statement.

“Various factors have led me to make this decision including my age, the stage of my career and the impending birth of my second child.

“I really enjoy the Twenty20 format and see it as a way to stay involved in cricket for a while longer.”

Oram, who quit test cricket in 2009 in a bid to prolong his career, has struggled with injuries in recent years and managed only one ODI and a T20 match against Sri Lanka on tour in October and November.

He was left out of the team's T20 tour squad for South Africa and would be unlikely to feature in New Zealand's three one-day matches against the Proteas from Jan. 19-25, a NZC spokesman said.

Oram would continue to play T20 cricket for domestic side Central Districts and play in competitions overseas, he said.

However, the door would still be open for his return to international cricket again, NZC said.

A powerful striker of the ball, the 1.98 metre (6-ft-6in) left-hander compiled over 1,780 test runs at an average of over 36 and 2,434 runs in ODIs.

He also netted 60 test wickets with his right-arm medium pace bowling and 173 ODI wickets at an average of just over 29.

NZC said it would offer another player to take over Oram's contract for the remainder of the period to July 31.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.