Chennai game is very important: Oram
First Published : 10 Sep 2012, 15:27
Last Modified : 10 Sep 2012, 15:32
Chennai, Sep 9: An experienced campaigner, Jacob Oram has been a vital cog in the New Zealand line-up, especially in the shorter formats of the game in the last few years. The tall left-hander has joined the side for the T20Is against India as the tourists look to get a win under their belt before they leave Indian shores. Skipper, Ross Taylor, believes that the arrival of the all-rounder, along with Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills, will strengthen the Black Caps and help reverse their fortunes on this tour.
In a brief interview with bcci.tv, the 34-year-old spoke the shortest format of the game and his role in his team.
Excerpts:
How important is the T20I against India in Chennai, especially ahead of the 2012 ICC World T20?
It’s very important. We had two games here and then two warm-up games in Sri Lanka when we get there. But unfortunately now four [games] has gone down to three, so we have to make sure that every game we do play we can work out something about ourselves [in the process]. There is tactics and line-up and team make-up that we can [work out and] use going forward to Sri Lanka.
Coming into the side for T20 matches, what is your role in the team?
Probably [same as] what I have done over the last couple of years; batting in the middle order, try and help the spinners [with the bowling], try and finish off an innings with the bat and also score some boundaries. And in bowling, try to bowl four overs for as little as I can, probably as a change bowler; first change bowler who can possibly be used in the death overs. You have to be very flexible so you better practice for any scenario because you may be used in any time in the game.
Do you consider yourself a T20 specialist?
Not yet. I am still available and playing one-dayers for New Zealand. As of now, I have not retired from that form of the game. So at the moment, I am not a Twenty20 specialist. But with more and more Twenty20 cricket being played around the world, I think it is only natural that guys, when maybe they are at the end of their careers, look to the shorter format of the game where there is less stress on their body, so they can handle it a little bit easier.
What is different about the T20 format?
It is so intense and so fast-paced, batsmen are trying to score runs a lot quicker and bowlers are trying to limit the scoring opportunities for batsmen. So, in terms of batting, you try and find a boundary and in terms of bowling you can just try and need to bowl good yorkers, slower balls and bouncers to help limit scoring opportunities.
How does your SLPL experience help NZ going into the ICC World T20?
It helps with understanding the conditions that we are going to play in [during the World T20 in Sri Lanka]. It was only two weeks back that we were playing in the SLPL. So, the understanding of the conditions will help. We are playing in Pallakele where I had played three games; so it’s going to be a big bonus. Also, there were about 15 Pakistani players in the league and we have got Pakistan in our group; that helps us a lot as well. Definitely, there are some benefits out of that tournament.
