Injury-plagued Oram takes first step towards 2011 World Cup goal

AUCKLAND - New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram, who is fighting to overcome a knee injury, has taken his first small step towards playing at next year’s 50-over World Cup in the Indian subcontinent.

Central Districts’ 29-run win over Wellington Firebirds in the HRV Cup at the Basin Reserve on Monday was Oram’s first domestic game since having knee surgery on September 2.

The 32-year-old was run out for 11 after hitting a big six, and then finished with match figures of 1-37 from his four overs.

“I thought we played a really good game. I’ve done everything asked of me in my rehab and I’ve been cautious when I’ve needed to be and pushed harder when I’ve needed to do that,” the Dominion Post quoted Oram, as saying.

“I suppose it is nice to get the first actual game under my belt, but I was pretty calm before the game, which may be a good sign,” he added.

The all-rounder knows that it will be touch and go to gain selection for the World Cup, which begins on February 19.

“I’ve been confident before in my body and it has backfired. It’s normally about a six-month rehab and it has been just under four months so we’ve pushed it hard, but I feel good,” Oram said.

“The second thing, which was proved at the start of this year, is my place is no longer a given. I got dropped at the Twenty20 World Cup so while I’ve got to bowl my overs and do my time in the field, I’ve also got to start doing well,” he added.

Oram has been sidelined since August after a recurrence of a patella tendon injury during the one-day tri-series with India and Sri Lanka. (ANI)