Oram pondering international future

The latest in a long list of injuries has reportedly prompted New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram to consider his international future. A hamstring problem had ruled him out of New Zealand's unexpected run to the finals of the recent ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

"I am obviously gutted with my latest injury and missing out on an ICC event - these events are particularly special," he told the New Zealand-based Sunday News. "At the moment I am spending some time assessing my future and trying to work out what is best for me and New Zealand."

Another injury-prone allrounder, England's Andrew Flintoff, has already retired from Tests and is concentrating on limited-overs matches in a bid to prolong his career. It was a route that Oram had suggested earlier this year he was also considering taking. Like Flintoff, he has a lucrative contract with the IPL's Chennai Super Kings, worth US$675,000 a year.

Oram suffered a variety of injuries over the past year. He returned home mid-way through the tour of Bangladesh 12 months ago and missed the Test series in Australia because of a back injury. A calf strain kept him out of the home Test series against West Indies and an Achilles injury cut short his participation in the one-day series that followed and the home Tests against India.