Jacob Oram appointed New Zealand's bowling coach ahead of India series

Former all-rounder Jacob Oram has been appointed as the new bowling coach for the New Zealand men’s cricket team.

Oram takes over the position left vacant by Shane Jurgensen in November 2023 and will officially begin his role on October 7, 2024.

His appointment follows a series of interim coaching stints with the Black Caps, including the 1-1 Test series draw in Bangladesh in late 2023, the 3-0 T20I series defeat against Australia in February 2024, and the recently concluded Men's T20 World Cup, where New Zealand was eliminated in the group stages.

The 46-year-old began his coaching journey in 2014 as the bowling coach for New Zealand A. He later served as the bowling coach for the New Zealand Women’s team from 2018 until the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup. 

He has also been involved in various franchise roles, including head coach of Central Hinds in the Super Smash, assistant coach of the 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 T20Is over his 11-year playing career, expressed his enthusiasm for rejoining the national setup. 

"I'm really excited to have the opportunity to be involved with the Black Caps again," he said. "To be back involved with a team that means so much to me and has been a big part of my life is a real honour. The recent opportunities I've had have been a great insight into where this team is going and I'm excited to continue that work in the coming seasons.

"There's a fresh new wave of talent coming through in the Black Caps bowling ranks and I hope that I can share my knowledge and experience to help best prepare them for the challenges of international cricket," he added.

Head coach Gary Stead welcomed Oram’s appointment, highlighting his extensive experience as both a player and coach. 

"Jake's a great operator," said Stead. "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 experience in franchise cricket which will be worthwhile in understanding the modern player and the changing landscape of the modern game. It's a really exciting opportunity for him and we're looking forward to having him join the group full-time."

It is worth noting that New Zealand will be touring India for a three-match Test series, scheduled to take place from October 16 to November 5.