Posted: 17 December 2008 at 9:30am | IP Logged

Oram responds to "cotton wool" criticism

Black Cap Jacob Oram is disappointed with the comments from Craig McMillan that he gives in too easily to injury

The injured Jacob Oram has responded to a claim by former teammate Craig McMillan that he's "wrapped up in too much cotton wool".

Oram has been ruled out of the second test with the West Indies in Napier starting Friday with his ongoing calf injury. He says it is disappointing to hear the criticism from a player who should know the rigours of international cricket, especially bowling. Oram says he knew McMillan had given him a "glowing report" physically on radio, but he resents talk he gives in too easily to injury.

Oram believes it is "a little rich" to say he won't play, and points to last year's Twenty20 World Cup, where he broke a finger but was out playing the next day. He says the same thing happened when he broke another finger and had ligament damage at the 50-over World Cup when he returned after a fortnight, four weeks earlier than expected.

Ross Taylor will practice today after dislocating his ring finger in the first test, with Peter Fulton brought in as cover. Chris Martin is also in as cover for James Franklin, after he took a blow to the ribs in Dunedin.

Posted: 18 December 2008 at 3:26pm | IP Logged

At 6'8"  (or is that 6'6" - 7'0" depending on which commentator you listen to) and as big a build it's a wonder he can survive the rigours of cricket.  I mean the real reason his calf strains all the time is because he has to bend so far down to hold the bat and the stress on his lower back gets transferred to the legs.  Give the man a shovel.

Seriously, I think Macca is right, I get the feeling the title of this thread is spot on the money.

So what money on Big Jake not making any more test teams since he won't bowl slightly injured?  A situation tailored for Franklin's continuation.