Oram’s decision to retire correct, say ex-colleagues

AUCKLAND - Central Districts cricket personalities have said all-rounder Jacob Oram’s decision to retire from Test cricket is the right one if he is to stay on in the shorter versions of the game.

The 31-year-old announced his retirement from Test cricket on Tuesday at a press conference in Christchurch.

Former Manawatu rep coach Gary Cunningham said playing limited-overs cricket was the right choice for the big all-rounder.

“I think it’s a logical conclusion to be fair. If you look at the last three or four test series Jake has played, I don’t think he’s come through any of them,” the NZPA quoted Cunningham, as saying.

Cunningham didn’t want to say whether Oram was best suited to the one-day and Twenty20 formats as opposed to test matches.

“Well I don’t know about that. Jake has always had a huge desire to play Test cricket for New Zealand and he hasn’t lost that desire at all,” he said.

Cunningham said the 1.98-metre tall left-handed batter copped too much stick for his numerous breakdowns in recent times.

“I think from my point of view, people have not taken the time to understand the actual want and desire that Jake has in his cricket and I think he has been unfairly criticized,” Cunningham said.

Central Districts chief executive Blair Furlong said it was sad to see Oram leave the Test match arena.

Alec Astle, who coached Oram at Palmerston North Boys’ High School, said it was great to see he wasn’t completely lost to the game.ram said the 2011 World Cup was his main focus.

“The last few years have shown that my body cannot handle the strains and stresses that come with being an all-rounder, playing all three formats for up to 10 months a year. For the sake of longevity, I have had to make a decision that will decrease my workload, so I can concentrate all my efforts on the shorter forms of the game,” said Oram. (ANI)