Ahead of a high-stakes three-match Test series against India in the World Test Championship, New Zealand Cricket has named former all-rounder Jacob Oram as the team's bowling coach. Oram, a seasoned right-arm fast bowler who participated in seven World Cups across ODI and T20 formats, officially starts on October 7 to support head coach Gary Stead. The schedule sees the teams meet first in Bengaluru (October 16-20), then move to Pune (October 24-28) and finally Mumbai (November 1-5).
New Zealand Cricket has appointed former all-rounder Jacob Oram as their bowling coach ahead of the challenging three-match Test series against India, a highly-anticipated series in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. The formidable right-arm pacer, who will take charge on October 7, has played three ODI World Cups and four T20 World Cups, and thus he offers plenty of experience to the Blackcaps coached by Gary Stead. The series opener between New Zealand and India is scheduled for October 16-20 in Bengaluru, followed by Tests in Pune (October 24-28) and Mumbai (November 1-5).
At 46, Oram has already built a coaching resume with the national side, serving as the bowling coach for the men's team at the recent T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA, and previously assisting the women's team during their 2022 World Cup campaign.
Having earned 229 international caps, Oram is now a formal part of the Blackcaps' setup. New Zealand Cricket noted that this appointment follows his successful contributions during last year's tour of Bangladesh, the February T20I series against Australia, and the most recent T20 World Cup. With New Zealand currently ranked third—trailing India and Australia by 50 percentage points—the team sees a strong chance to reach the World Test Championship final for the second time in three cycles.
Now ranked third with 50 percentage points behind table-leaders India and Australia, the Blackcaps have an excellent opportunity of making it to the World Test Championship final for the second time in three editions.
Oram, who claimed over 250 wickets throughout his playing career, expressed his gratitude, stating that it is a true honor to return to a team that has been such a fundamental part of his life. He mentioned that his recent coaching stints gave him a clear vision of the team's direction, and he is eager to build on that progress in the coming seasons.
Head coach Gary Stead told reporters that Oram's arrival is timely, as a new generation of bowling talent is emerging within the Blackcaps. Stead believes Oram's experience will be vital in preparing these young players for the pressures of international cricket. The 52-year-old coach emphasized that Oram's seasoned perspective is exactly what the squad needs during this critical period.
Stead further praised Oram's versatility, noting that his success as both a player and a coach speaks for itself. He highlighted that Oram doesn't just understand the international arena, but also brings valuable insights from franchise cricket, which is essential for relating to modern players and adapting to the evolving nature of the game.