New Zealand make big appointment ahead of Test series vs India, former star all-rounder named bowling coach

Jacob Oram on Thursday (August 29) was appointed as the new bowling coach of New Zealand. The former New Zealand all-rounder filled the spot which was vacant since Shane Jurgensen left in November last year.

The 46-year-old was New Zealand's assistant coach during New Zealand's 2-Test tour of Bangladesh in December 2023. He was also with the senior New Zealand men's cricket team during their 3-0 T20I series defeat against Australia in February 2024, and the T20 World Cup 2024 where they crashed out of the first round.

new-zealand-appoint-former-star-all-rounder-as-their-bowling-coach-ahead-of-test-series-vs-india — Image Courtesy: ICC Cricket World Cup on X

Jacob Oram, who played 33 Tests, 160 ODIs and 36 T20Is for New Zealand, has earlier worked as the bowling coach of New Zealand A. He was also appointed as the bowling coach of the women's team in 2018, and remained with the till the end of their ICC Women’s World Cup campaign in 2021.

Further, He was appointed as head coach of the Central Hinds at the start of last summer and led the side to their first Dream11 Super Smash final since 2016. Oram has also served as the Northern Warriors assistant coach in the Abu Dhabi T10 league and as bowling coach of Mumbai Indians Cape Town in the SA20.

“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to be involved with the BLACKCAPS again,” Oram said after his permanent appointment as the bowling coach of New Zealand.

“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 BLACKCAPS 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.

Jacob Oram will officially begin the role on October 7. The three-match Test series against India, starting October 16 will be his first assignment.