ormer Kiwi all-rounder Jacob Oram has been appointed as the new bowling coach for the New Zealand cricket team. He is set to officially take on his new role on October 7, succeeding Shane Jurgensen, who served as New Zealand’s bowling coach until November 2023. Notably, Jurgensen also held the position of bowling coach for the Bangladesh national team earlier in his career.
Oram, who has an extensive coaching background, was part of New Zealand’s coaching setup during their challenging tours against Bangladesh and Australia, as well as the T20 World Cup last year. Despite a mixed run—drawing 1-1 against Bangladesh, losing 3-0 to Australia, and exiting in the group stage of the T20 World Cup—Oram’s coaching abilities have been recognized, leading to his latest appointment.
The 46-year-old Oram began his coaching career in 2014 with New Zealand’s ‘A’ team. He later served as the bowling coach for the New Zealand women’s cricket team from 2018 to March 2022. His coaching résumé also includes stints in various franchise leagues, such as Central Hinds in Super Smash, Northern Warriors in T10, and Mumbai Cape Town in SA20.
Oram expressed his excitement at the new opportunity, stating, “I am thrilled to be involved with the Black Caps once again. The team holds a special place in my heart, and it’s an honor to work with them. There is a lot of new talent coming up in our bowling lineup, and I hope to share my knowledge and experience to help them prepare for the challenges of international cricket.”
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead also voiced his enthusiasm about Oram’s appointment, saying, “Jacob is a fantastic leader. His career as a player and his experience as a coach speak volumes. This is a big opportunity for him, and we are looking forward to having him on board full-time.”
Oram, who enjoyed an 11-year international career with New Zealand, played 33 Tests, 160 ODIs, and 36 T20Is. His deep understanding of the game and experience across different levels of cricket make him a valuable addition to the New Zealand coaching team.
