PNBHS 1991-1995 – Vernon Club

Jacob can only be described as an all-round sportsman. Jacob was a member of the Third form specials Football team in 1991 which was undefeated. 1992 in fourth form, Jacob was a member of the U15 A Football Team that was also undefeated. He came second in the Cricket Ball throw and was a member of the 3rd XI cricket team with coach Phil Gosling. In 1993 he was a member of the 2nd XI Cricket and made his debut for the PNBHS 1st XI Football team.

Jacob went on playing for the 1st XI from 1993-95 and was star player for the team. The late Steve Burnley wrote in the Palmerstonian after back to back National titles – “Jacob Oram – A talented sportsman with a long career in front of him. Deceivingly nimble for nearly two metres and brilliant on crosses to narrow angles. Pushed into the team and never looked back”. Jacob scored a goal against St Pats Silver Stream and in 1995 made the NZ Tournament Team at Nationals.

Jacob made his debut for the PNBHS 1st XI Cricket team in 1994 and played till his last year of school in 1995. During these two years, Jacob was selected for the North Island U16 NZ Development Squad (1994) and Central Districts Under 18 Cricket 1995. He scored 3 centuries for 1st XI Cricket. Highest score 150 v Rathkeale College.

He captained the Indoor Cricket – Schools Internal Competition. Was appointed the Deputy Head boy, winner of the Dux Ludorum and captain of the PNBHS 1st XI cricket team.

After school finished, Jacob played 1st class Cricket for Central Districts from 1997-2014.
He was a left-handed batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler. His ability with both bat and ball made him a regular member in the New Zealand international sides playing 33 tests was Cap no. 222.

From 2001-2012 for New Zealand, his highest score was 155 and his best bowling was 6/45. Jacob scored Five centuries. Highest score 133 v South Africa, 60 wickets. He has played over 160 One Day Internationals – scoring One century and 173 wickets. One of six New Zealanders to have scored over a thousand runs (2,434) and taken over 100 wickets (173) in ODIs. He played over 36 T20 games included a hat-trick v Sri Lanka and has caught over 114 catches in all cricket.

Jacob considered having an injured left ring finger amputated in order to attend a World Cup, but did so in a jocular context in order to convey his strong desire to participate.

In 2009 Jacob picked up 3/20 against Pakistan in the nerve-wracking final of the Cool&Cool Cup in Abu Dhabi.

Oram made his 12th ODI half-century after 14 months against Bangladesh in Napier on 5 February 2010. He scored a rapid 83 off just 40 balls and hit 8 fours and 5 sixes. Oram returned to international action in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20. During the 2011 World Cup quarter-final he took arguably the best catch of the tournament, off Jacques Kallis, a blinder on the mid-wicket boundary to prevent a six and with 4 for 39 helped the Black Caps take a well-deserved victory.

While working at Massey University, Jacob is pursuing his cricket coaching career firstly as the bowling coach for the White Ferns and the NZ A-Team. Jacob is also the current head coach of the Manawatu Men’s Team.

Just to recap for all the cricket players; 33 tests; 160 ODIs; 36 T20; 85 first-class, 250 List A and 105 T20 matches and Played in the 2003/2007/2011 World Cups.