Whatever happened to Jacob Oram?

[Canistani Hero]

Whats the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Jacob Oram? The tallest player to step on a cricket pitch in recent times barring Irfan?

Half a decade or so ago, Oram was touted as one of the best allrounders in the game, yes, perhaps, he was never at Kallis' calibre with the bat or at Flintoff's with the ball but he was no mug with either of them. A handy seam bowler who had the knack of picking up key wickets gave him an air of what New Zealand had been missing since Chris Cairns' departure and he could hit the ball long enough to make Abdul Razzaq look ordinary and that is definetly saying something. In addition to those wonderful traits, barring Jonty Rhodes and possibly Ijaz Ahmed, there haven't been too many men with safer hands fielding the gully-point region than Oram.

However, unfortunately for the Black Caps and even for the game of cricket, he may go down as one of many exceptionally talented players who never really achieved their potential, never really showed their worth, atleast not consistently. Yes, there were a few injuries down the line but even then, it seems a wonderful prospect has been wasted. Where did it all go wrong?

Watched him against the West Indies, he comes in at a time, where 9 times out of 10, you'd back the Kiwis to win. Ross Taylor is playing the innings of his life. 31 of 18 is nothing in the day and age of T20 cricket and he absolutely bottled it, couldn't get the ball away to save his life. 6 of 18. A total nightmare.

Should he have stayed as a football goalkeeper?

Or I am delusional and he was never meant to achieve a certain level of greatness?

[crikket fan]

he seems to be completely lost...
how can someone like him come to bat after nathan maccalum..

very sad to see him like him......very nice and humble guy though......

[SOSami]

The word 'farmer' always comes to mind when I see Oram.

Can see him working the land with a bit of straw in his mouth as he contemplates the current year's harvest.

[Canistani Hero]

Originally Posted by crikket fan he seems to be completely lost... how can someone like him come to bat after nathan maccalum.. very sad to see him like him......very nice and humble guy though......

Agreed, If only being nice, humble and having a big heart could win you matches

[crikket fan]

Originally Posted by SOSami The word 'farmer' always comes to mind when I see Oram. Can see him working the land with a bit of straw in his mouth as he contemplates the current year's harvest.

Exactly......very nice example
he is so big...but yet so down to earth...
really looks like a very good human being......

[Canistani Hero]

Indeed, a nice guy, watch him apologize to here.

[James]

Known as a good bloke, and a bogey player for England too. I respect him.

[leatherface58]

doesn't have a bad record in odi bowling wise. he was (is) mainly used as the brute to get quick runs. he did smash an awesome century vs Australia in 2006 though. i would say he has more or less achieved his potential despite so many injuries. not a great but a career he can be proud of.


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[Bullet Drive]

He will be retiring after the T20 world cup. He has had a lot of injuries in the past unfortunately. He's one of those bowlers who doesn't look threatening yet he always picks up wickets. 173 ODI wickets at 28 for him which is good especially when he averages 24 with the bat at a good SR.

He also had a very good test career. Average of 36 with 5 centuries and 6 50's. Very good conversion rate. & also 60 test wickets at 33. Good numbers for an all rounder.

[Ruri]

An honest trier with a good level of talent. Injuries kept him from maximizing his potential but he has worked to make himself somewhat memorable as one of the rare few kiwi talents.

[Zamee]

One of my favorite players. Sad to see him in such state of affairs

[Atif]

Big man who could hit the ball out of the park easily.

[ElRaja]

saw him in a nz game live once, he is even taller when you see him in real life. seemed really chilled out. is a good bowler in odis esp.

[Lara400]

Mentally weak, has all the talent and at one point was getting the results, remember his century against mcgrath & co. Huge let down this guy, injuries aside he has no determination or toughness about him, regardless of his massive frame.

[Canistani Hero]

Originally Posted by Lara400 Mentally weak, has all the talent and at one point was getting the results, remember his century against mcgrath & co. Huge let down this guy, injuries aside he has no determination or toughness about him, regardless of his massive frame.

Interesting point, not many people would raise a point about mental weakness

[Canistani Hero]

Originally Posted by Zamee One of my favorite players. Sad to see him in such state of affairs

Exactly!

[Justcrazy]

He is finished. It happened to Razzak also.

[Space Cat]

Originally Posted by Lara400 Mentally weak, has all the talent and at one point was getting the results, remember his century against mcgrath & co. Huge let down this guy, injuries aside he has no determination or toughness about him, regardless of his massive frame.

I remember Craig McMillan suggested this in a Newspaper column and got all kinds of crap but i thought it wasn't far from the truth.

[Space Cat]

His batting has deteriorated these days but he is still a very good ODI bowler with a great economy rate and in certain conditions can be nearly impossible to score off once he settles into a length. He worked over Marlon Samuels nicely in the last ODI.

He also has a great record in world cups. He was the main reason we upset South Africa in the quarter final.

[Canistani Hero]

Originally Posted by Space Cat I remember Craig McMillan suggested this in a Newspaper column and got all kinds of crap but i thought it wasn't far from the truth.

Ironic thing. McMillan, another really talented player who fell, well short of achieving his potential.