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Pinch hitter Jacob Oram hits a six for the Black Caps against Zimbabwe. - Source: Photosport -
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Jacob Oram's role as a pinch-hitter looks set to continue when the Black Caps attempt to wrap up the one-day international series against Zimbabwe 3-0 in Napier today.
Oram was promoted to number three in Whangarei on Monday to take advantage of the batting power play and more than delivered.
After openers Rob Nicol and Martin Guptill had put on 131 runs for the opening wicket, Oram came to the crease and blasted 59 off 35 ball to knock any remaining spirit out of the tourists.
"We started incredibly well the other day, so if we can get some partnerships at the top it puts us in a position where we can be a little bit more flexible and try to attack at certain times," captain Brendon McCullum said.
The way New Zealand have so emphatically dismissed Zimbabwe this summer should also allow McCullum to give his whole squad a run in this series.
Left-armer Michael Bates should finally his nod in the final XI, with Tim Southee dropping out. Legspinner Tarun Nethula is likely to get a second match, which would mean Kyle Mills sits out. Nathan McCullum will be back in the starting XI in place of the injured Dean Brownlie, who has a fractured finger.
The McLean Park pitch has typically been declared a batter's paradise with the strip tipped to pack plenty of runs. Don't be surprised if New Zealand bat first again should McCullum win the toss.
The third and final match of the series starts at 2pm.
New Zealand: (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Rob Nicol, 3 Brendon McCullum (capt & wk), 4 Kane Williamson, 5 Tom Latham, 6 Nathan McCullum, 7 Andrew Ellis, 8 Jacob Oram, 9 Tarun Nethula 10 Doug Bracewell, 11 Michael Bates
Zimbabwe: (probable) 1 Stuart Matsikenyeri/Tino Mawoyo, 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Regis Chakabva, 4 Brendan Taylor (capt), 5 Tatenda Taibu (wk), 6 Malcolm Waller, 7 Elton Chigumbura, 8 Prosper Utseya, 9 Shingi Masakadza, 10 Ray Price, 11 Kyle Jarvis
