Jacob Oram is a professional cricketer, who was born on July 28, 1978 in Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand. He is a right-arm medium pace bowler and bats left-handed down the order. Jacob Oram is married to Mara Tait-Jamieson and resides in Summerhill suburb of Palmerston North.
During the 2002-2003 season, Jacob Oram made his Test debut for his national side in a match against India at Wellington on December 12, 2002. He scored his first Test century against South Africa, an unbeaten 119 and followed it up by scoring 90 in the second innings of this Test. With these impressive performances, he was included in the squad for the 2004 England Tour, since then he has been regular in the side. In 2008, he partnered with his teammate Brendon McCullum in a 137 stand in a match against England, which was the highest New Zealand 6th wicket partnership. As of 2008, Jacob Oram has played 30 Tests and scored 1,659 runs, which includes 5 centuries and 5 half-centuries, with a career best knock of 133. He has also contributed with the ball by taking 60 wickets with career best figures of 4/41 in an innings and 6/63 in a match.
On January 4, 2001, Jacob Oram made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Zimbabwe at Wellington, which his side won by 8 wickets. He scored his maiden century, an unbeaten 101 from 72 balls against Australia at Perth. As of 2008, he has taken 124 wickets from 119 ODIs including two four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls with a career best figure of 5/26. Jacob Oram has also contributed with the bat by scoring 1,854 runs that includes a century and 9 half-centuries.
Jacob Oram made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut against South Africa at Johannesburg on October 21, 2005. Since then, Jacob Oram has scored a total of 242 runs from 9 T20Is at a staggering average of 48.40 with a strike rate of 165.75. His run tally includes two half-centuries with a career best knock of 66 not out.
In 2008, Jacob Oram signed with the Indian premier League (IPL) side Chennai Super Kings and made his debut for this side against Kings XI Punjab on Aril 19, 2008, which his side won by 33 runs. Following this he was an integral part of the side in its three-match winning streak.
Jacob Oram has won many Man of Match awards against countries like Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, England, New Zealand and Bangladesh. His warm personality enabled him to become one of the leading sports people in New Zealand and was chosen as the Sportsperson of the Year in 2001.
