New Zealand star Jacob Oram back in English cricket with Worcestershire - 15 years after living in Scunthorpe

FORMER App-Frod CC cricketer and New Zealand Test star Jacob Oram will return to English cricket this summer - 15 years after first playing in the country in Scunthorpe.

The veteran all-rounder has signed for Worcestershire for this summer's Twenty20 campaign, joining Sri Lanka's Thilan Samaraweera as an overseas player at New Road.

Jacob Oram is one of New Zealand crickets best-ever all-rounders - and he spent part of his early career in Scunthorpe with App-Frod CC.
Jacob Oram pictured with current App-Frod CC chairman Mike Campion when he played at Brumby Hall in 1998.

Oram, 34, is a popular figure around Scunthorpe, having cut his teeth with the Steelmen in 1999.

He was Frod's top performer in the Yorkshire League that season, showcasing the sort of talent that saw him go on to win 33 caps for New Zealand.

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Oram, who retired from Test cricket four years ago, now only plays the T20 format of the game, but is looking forward to joining Worcestershire, where his debut is likely to come at the end of June against Glamorgan.

"I have never played county cricket. It has always been a goal of mine," said Oram, who has kept in touch with Frod officials.

"The opportunity to play for Worcestershire in this season's T20 was something I could not turn down.

"Another attraction to Worcestershire was the chance to play at New Road.

"I have played a few games there for New Zealand, in 2004 and 2008, as well as the New Zealand youth team in 1996.

"It's a beautiful ground and one that I will be privileged to call home, at least for a month."

Runs flowed freely from Oram’s bat when he joined the Steelmen as he quickly settled into English conditions.

He scored a total of 971 runs that summer, which included a best knock of 127 in a match against York.

He ended the season with an average of 51.11 to finish as the Yorkshire League’s top junior batsman in 1998, an average which was only bettered by Zimbabwe Test star Grant Flower, who was playing for Harrogate at the time.