Oram hits out at detractors over New Zealand cricket commitment

AUCKLAND - Recently retired New Zealand Test all-rounder Jacob Oram has hit out at detractors who have questioned his commitment to the national team.

The 31-year-old injury-prone Black Caps allrounder on Tuesday announced his retirement from test cricket in a bid to extend his longevity in shorter forms of the game.

His decision was yesterday still being dissected by sport fans on radio talkback phone lines and by media commentators around the country.

Oram, who was in New Plymouth doing his bit for the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association, said: “I’m not worried at all about opinion writers and people that ring up certain radio stations because they don’t have a clue of what I do to prepare myself to play cricket.”

“I don’t meet a lot of those people to start with. People that do know me, friends and family, they know the truth and that’s what really counts for me,” he added.

“I’ve learned to deal with it (injuries) because I’ve been through it enough times now,” Oram said.

At six foot, six inches (1.98m) and weighing more than 100kg, Oram is someone almost everyone has to look up to.

But it’s his size that has been his downfall, because it has contributed to his long run of injuries.

“Hopefully, I can extend my career and hopefully get two or three more years and help New Zealand win some trophies, like the World Cup in 2011. That’s a goal of mine,” he said. (ANI)