Jacob Oram appointed New Zealand bowling coach
The former all-rounder had been working with the team for the last 12 months. Jacob Oram has been appointed as the bowling coach of the New Zealand men’s team, filling the role vacated by Shane Jurgensen. He worked with the team as bowling coach during the Test tour of Bangladesh last year, the T20I series against Australia and the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
I am very excited to have the opportunity to rejoin the Blackcaps. To be reunited with a team that means so much to me and has been a huge part of my life is a real honour for me. The opportunities I have had recently have given me a great insight into where this team is going and I am excited to continue that work in the coming seasons.
A new wave of talent in bowling
There is a new wave of talent coming into the Blackcaps bowling attack and I hope I can share my knowledge and experience to help them best prepare for the challenges of international cricket. Oram will work with a New Zealand attack that includes some new faces, including exciting fast bowling duo Ben Sears and Will O’Rourke.
He began his coaching career with New Zealand A in 2014 and then worked as bowling coach with the New Zealand women’s team from 2018. He was appointed head coach of Central Hinds last summer, leading the team to the Super Smash final. Oram has also been assistant coach in the Abu Dhabi T10 and bowling coach of MI Cape Town in the SA20.
Has a deep understanding of the international game
Jake is a great operator, Head Coach Gary Stead said. His career as a player and his experiences as a coach speak for themselves. He has a deep understanding of the international game, but also has experience of franchise cricket which will be useful in understanding the modern player and the changing landscape of the modern game. Oram has also coached various franchises in various tournaments.
He was the head coach of Central Hinds in the Super Smash, assistant coach of Northern Warriors in the T10 League and bowling coach of MI Cape Town in the SA20.
Oram, who represented New Zealand in 33 Tests, 160 ODIs and 36 T20s during his 11-year playing career, said he hopes to pass on his knowledge to new bowlers to prepare them for the international level.
Really excited to get the opportunity
He said, I am really excited to have the opportunity to rejoin the Black Caps. Reuniting with a team that means so much to me and has been a big part of my life is a real honour for me. The opportunities I have had recently have given me a great insight into the direction this team is heading in and I am excited to continue this work in the coming seasons.
Best suited for the challenges of international cricket
There is a new wave of talent coming into the Black Caps bowling attack and I hope I can share my knowledge and experience to help them prepare in the best way possible for the challenges of international cricket.
Head coach Gary Stead is also delighted to have Oram join the New Zealand coaching staff. He said the all-rounder’s experience of coaching in the franchise game and his own illustrious career will bring out the best in the players.
The Black Caps bowling attack is gaining new talent, and I intend to impart my knowledge and experience to help them get ready for the demands of playing international cricket.
Jake is an excellent operator, Stead remarked. His playing career and coaching experiences are self-explanatory. In addition to his extensive knowledge of the international game, he also has franchise cricket expertise, which will help him comprehend modern players and how the game is evolving. He has an incredibly exciting opportunity here, and we can’t wait for him to start working with the group full-time.
Stead said Jake is a great operator. His career as a player and his experiences as a coach speak for themselves. He brings a deep understanding of the international game, but also has experience of franchise cricket which will be useful in understanding the modern player and the changing landscape of the modern game. This is a really exciting opportunity for him and we are looking forward to having him join the group full-time.
Conclusion
Oram has been given the role permanently after supporting the team in a 1-1 series draw during the Test tour of Bangladesh in late 2023, a 3-0 T20 series loss against Australia in February 2024 and the Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this June, where New Zealand crashed out in the group stages.
The 46-year-old began his coaching career in 2014 when he was appointed the bowling coach of New Zealand A. He held the same position for the New Zealand women’s cricket team from 2018 till the Women’s ODI World Cup held at home in March 2022.
