Oram Ruled Out

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

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Oram - heel problem.

By David Clough, PA Sport, St George's

New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram will miss Friday's World Cup Super Eight match against Australia at Queen's Park, because of a bruised right heel.

Kiwi coach John Bracewell revealed Oram will not be risked in a match which is sure to be keenly-fought but is highly unlikely to impact on either team's semi-final prospects.

With both already through to the last four and Australia almost certain to top the Super Eight stage - leaving New Zealand to travel to Jamaica for their semi against Sri Lanka next week - Bracewell sees no reason to risk making the recurrence of an old injury to a key player any worse.

"We'll be going in with our strongest side for this particular game, bearing in mind that Jacob Oram will not be available because of his bruised heel," said the coach.

"One of the reasons he's not playing is a precautionary thing, making sure that we don't cause any further damage to the heel.

"It's the same problem he's had over a long period of time."

Bracewell is mindful 26-year-old Oram could exacerbate a relatively minor injury, which at present appears to be improving through inaction.

"The diagnosis is that the initial impact is the most dangerous point - and he has been able to nurse it through," he said.

"All of a sudden it's got a little bit more serious, so we just have to take it easy.

"But it's starting to get better with rest already."

As a back-up seamer who regularly gets through his 10 overs - as well as taking wickets - and a dangerous middle-order batsman, Oram is a crucial member of the Kiwi line-up.

"Given his position in the team and the balance of the side, it would be a huge risk to play him in a game that has no real implication on the semi-final," Bracewell concluded.

Teams:

Australia (from): R Ponting (captain), A Gilchrist (wkt), M Hayden, M Clarke, A Symonds, M Hussey, B Hodge, B Hogg, N Bracken, S Tait, G McGrath, S Watson

New Zealand (from): S Fleming (captain), P Fulton, R Taylor, S Styris, C McMillan, B McCullum (wkt), J Franklin, D Vettori, S Bond, M Gillespie, J Patel, M Mason, H Marshall, C Martin

Umpires: A Dar (Pkn) and A Rauf (Pkn)

Third umpire: B Doctrove (WI)

Fourth umpire: D Harper (Aus)

Match referee: M Procter (Rsa)